InfoSheet/Obituary - Joseph P "Joe" Litton
Deceased 2 March 2024
Celebration of Life - Military History - Overseas Service - Awards
Obituary: On the morning of March 2, 2024, Joseph Paul Litton, known affectionately in his childhood as Paul and throughout his career as Joe, passed peacefully at the age of 80. Born on May 27, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina before enlisting in the military at the age of 17. Joseph's life was marked by his unwavering dedication, infectious humor, steadfast loyalty, and remarkable resilience.
Joseph, a retired Major in the United States Army, was a true patriot who served his country with honor and distinction for over 25 years. His military career was significant and commendable, earning him twenty-two military awards and accolades, including a Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Bronze Star Medal, among others. His service took him across the world, from Germany, Korea to Vietnam and various locations across the United States. His bravery and dedication were never more evident than during his two tours in Vietnam, where he served his second tour as an Army Aviator in F Troop (Air), 4th Cavalry Regiment flying UH-1H Huey Helicopters. After retiring from the military, he embarked on a successful 15-year career as Operations and Human Resource Manager at The Hartford, retiring in 2002. He also received his BS in Business Administration and MA in Public Administration. But these achievements are only a part of his legacy. Joseph was also a black belt in Taekwondo martial arts, an avid reader with a particular fondness for military history, westerns, action thrillers and detective mysteries, a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and devout member of St. Brendan Catholic Church. His caring nature extended to the animal kingdom, where he volunteered with his son, Jason, delivering food for a local animal shelter, and over the years with his wife, Linda,they expanded their family by adopting eleven dogs, including two retired greyhounds from a racetrack, seven cats, and his daughter Alison's five guinea pigs and ferret and offer a safe haven to a variety of feral cats, wild birds, raccoons, and possums who frequent the yard.
Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Rosa "Linda" Litton, his daughter, Alison Litton, and his sister Lesley Litton McKenzie. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Litton and Ethel Dudley Litton, and his son, Jason Paul Litton, III. Joseph's dedication to his family, country, church and community was unparalleled, and he will forever be remembered as a man of great integrity, courage, and kindness.
Celebration of Life services will be:
Thursday, March 21st, 1PM
Mass for Joseph Litton
Reception immediately following in church social hall
St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church
4633 Shiloh Rd.
Cumming, GA 30040
For those who would like to attend Joseph's mass remotely, the below link will be live at 12:50pm and end at 2:50pm ET and available to view for 30 days
https://bit.ly/STBLitton
The password is: Litton
Monday, March 25th, 11AM
Georgia National Cemetery Interment
Military Honors Service under the Pavilion
1080 Scott Hudgens Drive
Canton, GA 30114
Reception immediately following
In Lieu of flowers; if so called, donations can be made in memory of Joseph P. Litton to Humane Society of Forsyth County No Kill Shelter (http://www.forsythpets.org) + to Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, an organization providing service dogs to disabled veterans (https://www.warriorfreedom.org)
We invite you to leave memories and upload photos to the memorial page, to help us remember and celebrate the extraordinary life of Joseph Litton.
"If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him." - A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans, 6:3-9
Military Service History:
- Enlisted in Regular Army (RA) 1 June 1960 for 3 years
- Honorably released from active duty 18 May 1963
- Reenlisted in RA on 27 May 1963 for 3 years
- Discharged on 26 April 1967 for immediate reenlistment
- Reenlisted on 27 April 1967 for 6 years
- Discharged to accept a commission as an officer on 18 September 1969
- Completed 9 years, 3 months, and 18 days of enlisted service
- Subsequently accepted commission as a 2nd Lieutenant (2LT)/O-1
- Promoted through the ranks to Major (MAJ)/O-4
Overseas Service History
- Served in Vietnam from 13 May 1966 through 4 May 1967 and again from 22 September 1971 through 17 April 1972.
- He served as an Infantryman during his first tour in Vietnam.
- He was an Army Aviator during his second tour in Vietnam. Assigned to F Troop (Air), 4th Cavalry
He participated in the following five campaigns:
Vietnam Counteroffensive (25 December 1965 - 30 June 1966)
Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II (1 July 1966 - 31 May 1967)
Consolidation I (1 July - 30 November 1971)
Consolidation II (1 December 1971 - 29 March 1972)
Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign (30 March 1972 - 28 January 1973)
- He Also served in Korea from 30 May 1968 through 29 June 1969
Military Service Decorations
National Defense Service Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Vietnam Service Medal (1 silver service star)
Korea Defense Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal (3 oak leaf clusters)
Overseas Service Bars (3rd award)
Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd award)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Basic Army Aviator Badge
Air Medal (11th award)
Purple Heart
Distinguished Flying Cross (1 oak leaf cluster)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon With Device (1960)
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm Unit Citation
Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Citation
Bronze Star Medal