Dodge-Laurens County GaArchives Biographies.....Roberts, Littleton March 31 1903 - November 9 1978 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Darrell Roberts dmwtex@yahoo.com February 4, 2005, 5:54 pm Author: Darrell Roberts Littleton Adams Roberts, son of James Henry "Hal" Roberts and Annie Adams of Eastman, Georgia, was born March 31, 1903. Hhe had one sister, Betty and three brothers; David, Henry and Jack. He married Charlotte Zaput on February 21, 1937 and had one son, Paul. Littleton lived in Eastman his entire boyhood and attended grade and high schools there. He attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta in the year preceeding his entrance to the military academy at West Point. W.W. Larson of Georgia's 12th Congressional District appointed him to the military academy at West Point. He subsequently reported to West Point on July 1, 1921 and was registered under the shade of the great elm trees in front of Old Barracks, near French Monument. His plebe year was no problem for him, likely due to the stature and integrity inherited from his father, an attorney; and his grandfather Judge D.M. Roberts. This likely gave him the dignity and restraint that characterized his personal and professional life. He was a member of the varsity track team during his last two years at West Point, participating in the pole vault. After graduation Littleton was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery at Fort Bragg, and then to the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery there. While at Fort Bragg, Littleton's father died. At that time he felt it necessary to assume his position as head of the family, resigning his commission in October 1927. He was later an engineer with the New York Telephone Company, however, loyalty to West Point and the Army prompted him to join the New York National Guard. Littleton's professional life prior to World War II included, but was not limited to, his attendance at the three month Tank Course at Army Infantry School for reserve and National Guard officers, and his marriage to Charlotte Zaput of New York. His World War II service began as he entered active duty as a captain in the New York National Guard, February 1941, commanding the 191st Tank Battalion; promoted to major, Army of the United States, March 1941; to lieutenant colonel, March 1942; transferred to the Tactics Department at the Armored School in Fort Knox as in instructor, November 1942; transferred to the European Theatre in July 1944, assigned to the 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, as Regimental Executive Officer. He served in that capacity until the end of the war. With his division and regiment, Littleton participated in closing the Falaise Gap, fought throughout the Belgian Bulge, actively participated in the breakout from the Remagen Bridgehead and subsequently helped close off the Ruhr Valley. He finished actual combat at Besau on the Elbe River and was awarded the Bronze Star for combat actions. After World War II, he was integrated into the regular Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1946 and promoted to colonel in 1950. His post war assignments included duty with the United States Military Advisory Group in Nanking, China, advising the Nationalist Armed Forces under General Chiang Kai-shek. He closed out his military career as Inspector General in the office of the Inspector General, Hawaiian Department; as Inspector General, United States Seventh Army in Stuttgart, Germany and Inspector General, United States First Army, Governor's Island, New York. He retired on September 1, 1959. In retirement in Bradenton, Florida, Littleton was active in real estate for several years. He also enjoyed reading, fishing and golfing. He remained active in community affairs, including devotion to his Catholic Church and its activities. He was Past Secretary/Treasurer of the Florida West Coast Chapter of the West Point Society; Past President of the Retired Officers Club in Bradenton; Past Commander of the Brandenton Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree. Littleton is buried at West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York. (Information taken from the 1925 edition of the USMA yearbook, a biography found in his cadet file, and an obituary found in his cadet fale signed "A Classmate". Thanks to the Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy at West Point for providing the information used to compile this article) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/dodge/bios/gbs751roberts.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb