(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the over Romania, in 1943 and 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Litton, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
96th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
82d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
96th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
82d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 15th Air Force, General Orders No. 2420 (August 8, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane and as Commanding Officer of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Litton, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
82d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
1943 – 1944
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, from 1943 to 1944.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Division:
Prisoner of War (Germany)Action Date:
August 1944 – May 1945
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on or about 4 August 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in May 1945.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
96th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
82d Fighter GroupDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
December 1943
Headquarters, U.S. Army-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 61 (December 31, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 24 November and 25 December 1943. On each of these dates Colonel Litton destroyed an enemy airplane in aerial combat. Lieutenant Colonel Litton’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.