Littleton W. T. Waller Jr.
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United States of America
United States Marine CorpsLittleton Waller Tazewell Waller, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 18, 1886 |
| Died | April 14, 1967 (aged 80) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Service years | 1907–1921, 1941–1946 |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Service number | 0–1034 |
| Commands | Director of Personnel of USMC 6th Machine Gun Battalion |
| Conflicts | Veracruz Expedition |
| Awards | Navy Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart |
| Relations | MajGen Littleton Waller, USMC (Father) RADM John B. W. Waller, USN (Brother) BGen Henry T. Waller, USMC (Brother) BGen James D. Waller, USMC (Cousin) |
Littleton Waller Tazewell Waller, Jr. (September 18, 1886 – April 14, 1967) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps who attained the rank of major general while serving as Marine Corps Director of Personnel during World War II.
He was the son of Marine Corps Major General Littleton "Tony" Waller.[1]
Waller was born on September 18, 1886, in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Marine Corps Major General Littleton "Tony" Waller and his wife Clara Wynn Waller (1862–1958). The oldest of three children, his two brothers were Rear Admiral John B. W. Waller and Marine Corps Brigadier General Henry T. Waller. His cousin, James D. Waller was also Marine officer, who served during World War II and retired as brigadier general.
Littleton Jr. was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in October 1907 and first served with the Marine detachment in the Panama Canal Zone. He was subsequently sent to Beijing, China, where he served as a member of the American Legation Guard. After his return to the United States, he was assigned to the Marine barracks in Norfolk, Virginia, and promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in 1911. At the barracks, he mostly worked on target practice instruction.
In 1914 he was sent to Veracruz, Mexico, as a member of the First Marine Brigade. During this time, he was under the command of his father. Following his service in Mexico, Waller Jr. was transferred to the battleship USS "Michigan", where he was appointed commander of the Marine detachment in 1915. One year later, he was promoted to the rank of captain.
World War I
The United States entered World War I in April 1917. Waller Jr. received a temporary promotion to the rank of major and was assigned to the 1st Machine Gun Battalion as a company commander. Waller sailed to France in December 1917 as a member of the Machine Gun Battalion of the 4th Marine Brigade, 2nd Division.
After a short period of service with the 3rd Division, he was appointed 2nd Division Machine Gun Officer. In this capacity, Waller distinguished himself during the Battle of Belleau Wood and Battle of Soissons, when the units under his command helped support successful infantry attacks.
For his leadership during these battles, Waller was decorated with the Navy Cross.[2] He remained in command of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion and was decorated with the Silver Star for heroism in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.[2] He was seriously wounded and was succeeded by Major Matthew H. Kingman. After recovering, Waller was assigned to the general staff of the 2nd Division, where he served as Division Machine Gun Officer for the rest of the war. He subsequently participated in occupation duties in Germany until 1919.
The Government of France decorated Waller with the Légion d'honneur, Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm and the Fourragère.
