Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
NameCol William Powell Litton 2083
Birth6 Jan 1918, Shaw, Bolivar Co MS
Death2 Nov 1951, Busan, South Korea Age: 33
Spouses
1Willette Akin 2341, Half 2nd Cousin
Birth24 Oct 1921, Stockdale, Wilson Co TX2340
Death6 Aug 1978, Greenwood, Leflore Co MS Age: 56
FatherJohn Calvin Akin (1897-1953)
Marriage20 Aug 1941, New Baltimore, Macomb Co MI2342
 Billie Carol (1943-1996)
 Hesta Mae (1943-2001)
Notes for Col William Powell Litton
Colonel William Powell Litton, a graduate of West Point Military Academy class 1940 , met and married his wife Willette, while stationed in Texas during World War II. He was later appointed as the CO of 82nd Fighter Group bases at Vicenzo airfield, Italy . While commanding the 82nd FG he was shot down on Aug 4,1944 while flying from Poltava, USSR (today Ukraine ) to Rumania on a strafing mission to the Focsani airfield in Rumania. He was injured on his hand and spent 25 days as POW in Bucharest .

At the conclusion of the war, Colonel Litton and Mrs. Litton returned to the Mississippi Delta where, along with Bill's grandfather, William Elihu Litton, family members maintained farming interests in Shaw, Benoit and Litton. Bill spent his early years in these farming communities and continues to be involved with the administration of the family land. On Nov.2, 1951 while appointed as GP CO of the 51st FTR Wing at Tsuiki AB, Japan was tragically killed on a landing accident on a F-80C or the F-86 jet he flew with the interceptor Sqd either out of S.Korea or Japan Gen. Hugo Rush also a former 15th AF 47th Bomb Wing GP CO was the 1st CO of the 52nd FTR WG

CITATION
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Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Powell Litton (ASN: 0-23300), United States Army Air Forces,CO 82nd FG at Viccenzo,Italy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross & Silver Star for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on during World War II in Rumania. Lieutenant Colonel Litton's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Notes for Willette (Spouse 1)
Mrs. C. R. Sayre

GREENWOOD - Services for Mrs. Willettc Akin Sayre. 58, wife of Dr. Charles R. Sayre. will be held at 3 p.m. today at St. Johns Methodist Church with burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Wilson and Knight Funeral Home is in chargee of arrangements.

Survivors are her husband, who is president and general manager of Staplcotn Cooperative Association; three sons, William Powell Litton of Greenwood, Richard Sayre of Chicago, and Quinten Sayre of Newport News, Va.; three daughters. Mrs. Rodgers Clarke of Clinton, N C , Mrs. Robert Spessard Jr. of Floyd, Va., and Mrs. Tims Quinn Jr. of Clinton, Ill.; her mother, Mrs. J.C. Akin of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters, Mrs. John Hardt of Eagle Pass, Texas, and Mrs. Peggy Smith of Austin, Texas; and 10 grandchildren. Mrs. Sayre, a native of Stockdale, Texas, and resident of Greenwood since 1959. died Sunday in Greenwood Leflore Hospital after a long illness. She was a member of Delta Cotton Wives and Women's Commission of Delta Council.
Last Modified 11 Oct 2020Created 3 Jul 2023 using Reunion for Macintosh
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