The Littrell brothers Draft Cards World War II and Korea:

Redford Littrell: notice the description of residence “1/2 mile northwest of Anniston…” Maybe this can help us locate the farm they lived on out side of Anniston. Date: 2-16-1942, World War II.

John Daniel Littrell, JR: AKA Junior Dolan, AKA JD.  6-30-1942 the World War II draft. Issued In Union Co., KY

Leslie Albert Littrell: Uncle Les, 12-9-1946, the Korean War Draft.

*

Redford “NMN” Littrell: Notice the “(first name only)” notation for Uncle Red’s middle name above. The family story is that Red’s military records had the letters “NMN” in place of his middle name because he didn’t have one. This was not unusual as not everyone had a three-part name; first, middle, last. It wasn’t until the advent of Social Security that people were required to have a middle name. This was a dilemma for the Littrell family as middle names were not consistently used.

It appears that Rubin, Red, and maybe Les didn’t initially have middle names. We aren’t sure about Les as he was named after his Uncle Leslie A. Comer who may have been Leslie Albert Comer. This is speculative though as Leslie often went by LA Comer and some in the Comer family believe the “LA” stood for Lester A.

All the children of Kizzie & John may have had middle names but over the years just forgot them or since Kizzie and John didn’t use them they were not aware of them. This born out by the double initial names of JD and OJ. ( as late as the 1940 census JD and OJ are still referred to only by their initials.

When faced with the need for a full three-part name we know that Rubin made up his middle name (also Albert) and when signing up for the WPA CCC Camps OJ had to make up full names for himself and JD: Oliver James and Junior Dolan. We have no idea the authenticity of Oliver James, but we now believe we have found proof that JD was actually John Daniel which would have made him John Daniel Littrell, JR., thus OJ’s use of Junior. Where he got Dolan from is a mystery.

By the time JD did his draft card, he was already using Junior Dolan, even though this was a short time after being given that name by OJ… he is still working at the CCC camp in Breckinridge, Kentucky.

74

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NOTES:

This would not be the only connection between JD and Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. After returning from Korea in 1952 he would be stationed there (in the Army) were his second son Glenn (me) was born.    more on Camp Breckinridge, KY.

See Red’s service

See a summary of JD’s Service

See Les’s service

The Boys of Anniston

see also Boydie Thurman’s draft card

see Grand Pa John & his brother’s WW I draft cards

JD Littrell: The Pusan Perimeter

There are two notable inaccuracies in JD’s story:

1. The first is that there were about 50 survivors from C company. By the time JD wrote the letter the stragglers from C Company were joining with “F” Company and formed a defensive position further back along the same road to Changnyong at Ponch’o-ri. Even with the freeing of the POWs at Namwon the total number of survivors of Company C would not reach 50.
2. The second was “…what was left of our company run off and left us four.” It may have seemed like they were abandoned, but in actuality the forward platoons and the Company Command Post were experiencing the same ‘human wave’ assault that quickly depleted and isolated the pockets of men who survived.
   The 8th Army held the Pusan Perimeter until MacArthur could execute the invasion of Inchon by the XX Corps on the opposite side of the Korean peninsula. In conjunction with this action, the under supplied 8th Army proceeded to ‘breakout’ of the Pusan Perimeter at high cost about September 15.

By September 22, the 23rd Regiment had crossed the Naktong River and established a perimeter along Hills 207, 227 and Hill 308. On September 22, JD received the wounds (in the head (from a bullet that creased his helmet) and shoulder (from shrapnel)) that would earn him the first of three Purple Hearts.

source: The East Prairie Eagle: East Prairie, Missouri. “The Armed Forces Roll Call”, September 29, 1950 courtesy of Bertha Littrell~Thurman.

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The above information is from: Military Role Call: The Littrell Family of Mississippi County, Missouri, The Littrell Family Journals Volume IV. (click here)
also:  Littrell Family Veterans Video

reposted from 2015:   23/60

JD Littrell: US Navy and US Army (Retired)

Photos Only:

View Full Album

(JD (AKA Junior Dolan) was a son of John & Kizzie (Comer) Littrell)

63rd CBs at Guadalcanal, 1943. JD would serve 28 months in the South Pacific.
   He was discharged from the Navy in 1945. Later he would enlist in the Army.
Following his Discharge from the US Navy (World War II) JD returned to the ‘bootheel’ area of Southeast Missouri until his enlistment in the US Army, September 10, 1947. JD was stationed with the 7th Tank Battalion, 3rd Armored Division as a Platoon Sergeant until being assigned to C Company of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in Ft. Lewis (1950). The 23rd Regiment would soon ship-out for Korea aboard the USS General Freeman.

The picture was provided by the Theresa [daughter of Nell Horn-Virgin [a niece of Jean’s]] 

Don’t know who the guy in front of Dad is, the note on the back just said:

  "on the France and Germany border lots of love to you and the boys your daddy".

The boys being Troy and I, Rick would be born in France.

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The above information is from: Military Role Call: The Littrell Family of Mississippi County, Missouri, The Littrell Family Journals Volume IV. (click here)
also:  Littrell Family Veterans Video

reposted from 2016:   76 /112

Albert Rubin Littrell: US Army

Rubin is a son of John & Kizzie.

Rubin was a Sergeant in the Army during the Korean War. He was wounded in the knee by a sniper. Ending his Army career.

We need more information on this individual. Please send us any information so that we can update entries for this person on the website and the next edition of this book. Send to: gdl@glenns-world.com or: Glenn Littrell, PO BOX

  
Purple Heart
UN Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal

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The above information is from: Military Role Call: The Littrell Family of Mississippi County, Missouri, The Littrell Family Journals Volume IV. (click here) .

reposted from 2016:    70 / 100

Raymond Savat: US Army

Raymond is Onene Littrell Curtis’ son-in-law: 

Raymond enlisted June 25, 1952 and reported to Camp Crowder, Missouri for induction before being sent to Camp Chaffee, ARK for training.

He was trained at artillery school ( Camp Chaffee) and assigned to 'C' Battery, 176th Armored Field Artillery(AFA) Battalion, 5th Artillery Group, 8th Army, Korea (in late 1952) operating a 155mm Howitzer M41 (motorized). The 176th AFA Battalion was a Pennsylvania National Guard unit that had been in Korea since 1951, shortly after the conflict broke out. Because there were no Artillery Divisions deployed to Korea, following the movements of the 176th AFA Battalion has proven difficult to date because battalion level records are harder to obtain than larger unit (parent units) records. We do, however, have the Unit Citation orders 136 that identify at least one battle that Raymond and the 176th AFA Battalion was in. The Battle of Boomerang, near Kumhwa, Korea. A fierce battle that Raymond's unit distinguished itself in. In January 1954, near the end of his enlistment Raymond was rotated out of Korea (ahead of his unit) to Camp Carson Colorado (reassignment Center) where he was reassigned to Ft. Riley, Kansas until his discharge in July of 1954.   "Here is the tank I'm on. Clumsy looking thing isn't it." Cpl. Raymond Savat, Korea

“Award of the Distinguished Unit Citation” “By direction of the President... the following unit is cited as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction ....” “The 176TH ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION is cited for outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, during the period 14 to 15 June 1953, At that time, the battalion was assigned the mission of general support of a Republic of Korea Army Corps. When the hostile elements launched an overwhelming assault on the night of the 14th, the Allied forces wore overrun through sheer weight of numbers and all organized defense in a division sector of the main line of resistance collapsed. During the initial three-hour period of fighting, the battalion maintained the only operation communications network connecting all major elements of the infantry forces. In addition, though suffering heavy casualties from intense counter-battery fire the battalion maintained a continuous maximum rate of fire on the advancing enemy forces. During the evacuation to the south, a steady flow of infantry stragglers moved past the gun positions, leaving no infantry force between the artillery and the rapidly advancing foe. Despite the major threat to their safety, members of the battalion held their positions and continued a maximum cover of fire. Early the next morning when the three Republic of Korea Army battalions commenced to withdraw, the 176th ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION determinably provided the sweeping fire necessary to cover the rearward movement. At daylight, the battalion began a barrage of smoke and white phosphorous which denied the enemy observation from the newly-captured heights and allowed a Republic of Korea Army division to man a new defense line, permitting the orderly displacement of the battalion to prearranged positions. The 176th ARMORED FIELD ARTILLIRY BATTALION displayed such outstanding tenacity and determination in accomplishing its hazardous mission as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the action. The extraordinary heroism and selfless devotion to duty exhibited by the members of this battalion throughout this period reflects great credit on themselves and is in keeping with the, finest traditions of the military service of the United States, BY Command OF General Maxwell Taylor”

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from: Military Role Call: The Littrell Family of Mississippi County, Missouri, The Littrell Family Journals Volume IV. (click here)
also:  Littrell Family Veterans Video

reposted from 2016:   107/175

Eugene Miller Nolen: Korea, US Army

Eugene is the son-in-law of Jesse Daniel Littrell.

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Any descendant of John and Kizzie (including spouses and step-children) who served in the military is eligible to be included in the Military Roll Call (MRC) book and website page, but I need you to provide that information. The book has already been published but it will be updated and reprinted every few years and the website is constantly updated.

We need more information on this individual. Please send us any information so that we can update entries for this person on the website and the next edition of this book.

Send to: INDIANAGLENN@GMAIL.COM 
or:
Glenn Littrell
PO BOX 20794
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA
46220-0794

reposted from 2016:   52/91

James Edward “Bud” Simbeck: Ret. US Navy

(James, 'Bud', was the grandson of John & Kizzie Littrell.)

  In January and February of 1951 the SS Hank (Bud’s ship) supported the 8th Army (two cousins, JD and Ruben Littrell were serving in the 8th Army in Korea) as it moved to recapture and consolidate Seoul and Inchon. Screening, blockade patrol, and shore bombardment constituted the destroyer's duties along the Korean coast until she sailed for the United States, reaching Norfolk on 9 June via San Diego, the Panama Canal, and Guantanamo.

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Bud was honorably discharged from active duty in December 15, 1967 and officially retired

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The above information is from: Military Role Call: The Littrell Family of Mississippi County, Missouri, The Littrell Family Journals Volume IV. (click here)
also:  Littrell Family Veterans Video

reposted from 11-9-2016:   148 / 180 / 183

The Boys of Anniston, MO.

John and Kizzie lived most of the 40s in and around the little town of Anniston, Missouri. By the time they moved from Anniston into East Prairie all their children were grown and had moved out.  Bertha was the last Littrell (Thurman) to move from Anniston, taking her family to Charleston, Missouri. Several of John’s sons would list Anniston on their enlistment papers as their residence when enlisting for World War II and/or Korea.

reposted from 03/12/06

This spring I was in southeast Missouri doing some research for a family history on the family’s of my grandfather, John Daniel Littrell, and his brother James Carroll Littrell. The particular information I was looking for was the military service of their sons.  While visiting the libraries of Mississippi and New Madrid Counties I was amazed at the number of enlistees from the two counties during World War II and the Korean conflict.  During WW II virtually every issue of the area newspapers listed 50, 75, 100 local boys reporting for service.  The numbers were staggering when one considers that this was not a densely populated area. While contributing more than its fair share of young men to the war effort these numbers could not have been achieved without many families sending more than one son off to war.  In John Littrell’s family alone five sons and two son-in-laws served between 1941 and 1952.

The last stop on this particular trip was a visit to the cemetery located in Anniston, Missouri to obtain a photograph of Lindsie Prior “Bordie” Thurman’s headstone.  Bordie was an Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II and the husband of Bertha Ann Littrell, John Littrell’s third daughter.

While growing up I had spent several summer vacations with my grandparents John and Kizzie (Comer) Littrell in East Prairie, Missouri and lived for a short time in Marston, but was only vaguely familiar with those areas.  I had heard of Anniston and knew that my grandparents had lived there prior to settling in East Prairie but had never actually been there.  Upon arriving in Anniston it was obvious that the little town had seen more robust times, I probably had unrealistic expectations based on family stories from my youth.  Gone were the theater, school, and café that were prominent in those recollections.  

Upon finding the cemetery I began looking for Uncle Bordie’s headstone.  As I searched I became aware of two oddities concerning the little cemetery.   

The first oddity was that the population of the graveyard appeared to be close to or greater than the population of the town (288).  This by itself is not unique; I have visited hundreds of cemeteries in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri over the last ten years, and have seen many towns where the dead outnumbered the living.  What was different about Anniston though was that neither the town nor the cemetery appeared to be as old as the other towns that had this same situation.

The second oddity however was very unique.  As I wandered among the headstone it struck me that a large portion of the headstones had ‘Veteran Plaques’, eventually this realization was overwhelming so I started counting the headstones that were those of veterans.  By the time I found Bordie’s headstone it was apparent that anywhere from a fourth to a third of the occupants of Anniston Cemetery were veterans of WWII and Korea.  I have never seen such a large percentage of veterans in any post civil war cemetery.  If you figure that half of the occupants of the cemetery are females then that means more than half of the male population in the quaint little cemetery served their country.  Even if the population of Anniston during this time was twice as large as it is now the contribution of this little town was a significant portion of the male population when you consider that the cemetery only represents residents and former servicemen who chose to be buried there.  I myself know of at least 5 former residents (brothers) and veterans of this period who were not buried here: Les, Red, Rubin, OJ and JD Littrell.   

View Full Album

  As Veterans Day approaches and our thoughts are focused on veterans past and present the people of southeast Missouri should be proud of the contributions of the many families in the area during this century.  While John and Kizzie Littrell had five sons and two son-in-laws serve their country and at least 11 grandchildren do the same, it should be recognized that the service of their descendants and of communities such as Anniston is more representative of what patriotism is than the chest thumping and rabble rousing that all to often passes as patriotism.

Let us pray for our troops and pray against the conflicts that put them in harms way

Glenn Littrell   03/12/06

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The above information is from: Military Role Call: The Littrell Family of Mississippi County, Missouri, The Littrell Family Journals Volume IV. (click here)
also:  Littrell Family Veterans Video

Anniston Cemetery  

reposted from 2013: 216 / 244

Need More Information For MRC: Jesse Comer, Wesley Littrell and Lowell Mann

Any descendant of John and Kizzie (including spouses and step-children) who served in the military is eligible to be included in the Military Roll Call (MRC) book and website page, but I need you to provide that information. The book has already been published but it will be updated and reprinted every few years and the website is constantly updated.

Wesley Littrell                                                        Lowell Mann

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Jesse Comer (Civil War)

As of 10-4-2016 we have been unable to find any proof, or the original source for our belief that Jesse served in the Civil War.

Until we do we will continue to list  Jesse here, but will remove him from his listing in MRC and move him to an FYI section.

 

 

 

 

 

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If you haven't sent me military information on your Littrell, ancestors, descendants, cousins or siblings please do so as soon as possible. 

Please don't make the common mistake of waiting until you have all your information together before sending it.  Send me what you have now and the rest when you get it together… you would be amazed at what I might find out from anything you send. Photos, letters, DD214 or discharge papers etc. Any updated information you send later will be added to the next edition and immediately to the website.

Send me what you have now to insure that at least that makes it into the books next printing. 

So don't hesitate, send what you have now!

 

Pictures (especially in uniform), dd214, letters, duty stations, training, stories, post cards, accommodations & awards, dates of service, etc., What you can when you can, don’t hesitate.

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The above information is from: Military Role Call: The Littrell Family of Mississippi County, Missouri, The Littrell Family Journals Volume IV. (click here)
also:  Littrell Family Veterans Video