- SURNAME
Walton
- FORENAME
Merritt Cecil
- UNIT
1 Marine Parachute Bn (Company A)
- RANK
Platoon Sergeant
- NUMBER
259041
- DATE OF DEATH
7th August 1942
- AGE
26
- GRAVESITE
Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, USA
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Sutton,Nebraska
born 18.12.1915 St Paul,Minnesota
father Cecil Cullen Walton (1887-1958)
mother Clara Olive (nee Haugen) Walton (1888-1980)
entered service 19.5.1937 San Francisco,California
4th Marine Regiment
PFC 10.5.1939
Sgt 1.8.1941
Platoon Sgt 8.4.1942
1 MPB 1942
award Navy Cross (posthumously)
KIA Gavutu,Solomon Islands
DATE OF DEATH:
07-Aug-1942AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/walton-merritt-cecil.39520/CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Platoon Sergeant Merritt C. Walton (MCSN: 259041), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the FIRST Parachute Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese forces at Gavutu, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. Although fully aware of his extreme personal danger, Platoon Sergeant Walton voluntarily proceeded to reconnoiter the position of a hostile machine gun which threatened his platoon's right flank. After skillfully spotting the weapon's location, he courageously participated in a daring attack and realized success in silencing this deadly menace before he died of fatal wounds. Platoon Sergeant Walton's unflinching determination and unconquerable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8430FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113368230/merritt-cecil-walton
Last edited by a moderator:
