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| Warren Carr Littlefield
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| NO. 17502 • 15 February 1928 – 15 September 1950
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| Died September 15, 1950, of Wounds Received in Action, in Korea. Aged 22 Years.
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I am happy to write this informal memorial to Lieutenant Warren C.
Littlefield, U.S.A., who died September 15, 1950, of wounds received in action
in Korea, at the age of 22 years, approximately three months after his
graduation from West Point, and less than one month after entering combat duty
in the Korean war.
I have known Warren Littlefield since the time of his birth in Des
Moines, Iowa on February 15, 1928. I have been intimately acquainted with his
father and mother and have observed Warren during the progress of his life.
There have been no finer people than his parents. They possessed the sterling
qualities of character, industry, and vision that have made this country a
great nation. They were most loyal American Citizens and typified the best
qualities of Americans. Warren's father, Ora W. LIttlefield, served as a sergeant
in World War I and was engaged in active duty at the front during that service.
When World War II came upon us, he again volunteered his services and died in
the Service on March 6, 1944, while stationed at Santa Ana Army Air Base,
serving as a Major at Headquarters Squadron Preflight School as Commanding
Officer, 2nd Wing. He was survived by his son and only child, Warren, and his
wife, Victoria Carr Littlefield. Warren and his mother remained in California
although still retaining their Iowa residence.
Warren,
from his earliest youth until his final
acts of service for his country, was outstanding in all that he did. His
schooling commenced in Hubbell School in Des Moines. In 1934 his parents moved
to Carroll, Iowa, and he attended the public schools there until his family
moved to Lake City in 1937. In June 1942 he completed his junior high school
work at Lake City, receiving the highest of grades and many honors.. He was a
member of the debating club and represented his school in competition with
other schools. He excelled scholastically. He was also interested in music and
played the cornet in the school band, which won several state contests.
In June 1942 the Littlefield
family moved to California, at the time Ora Littlefield again entered the
Service as an officer in World War II. During Major Littlefield's military
service, Warren attended the public schools in Santa Ana, California. He
participated in many activities. He belonged to the Spanish club, sang in the
glee club and the Presbyterian Church choir. He played the cornet in a small
dance band. His father and mother were very proud of his work as a trumpeter,
as his father had played the bugle in his World War I service.
His Parents took great pride in his achievements and he was very devoted
to his parents. Upon graduation from high school he entered the University of
California at Los Angeles, where he studied for a period of two years, when he
received an appointment to West Point from United States Senator from Iowa,
Honorable Bourke B. Hickenlooper. In the University he was an active member of
the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and greatly enjoyed association with his
fellow students. He was employed part-time in the Wilshire Art Gallery so
as to aid in defraying expenses. DurIng this period he gave much of his
attention to his mother and there was a fine companionship between them which
helped both in recovering from the loss of Major Littlefield.
He entered West Point in July 1946, where he
continued until graduation in June 1950. He found his work at West
Point difficult but interesting, and at the end of the first year he
was in good scholastic standing. Each year his standing improved and
he ranked high in his graduating class. When it came to choose the
type of service in which he would serve in the Army, he found many
branches were of interest to him, but he wrote to me that he had
chosen service in the Armored Cavalry because he thought that was
the place in which he could do the most good. This good became his supreme
sacrifice, as it was in this service in Korea that he lost his life.
Lieutenant Littlefield visited me in my home in
Iowa City in June following his graduation.
He told me of his contemplated marriage to Betty Zoe Rhame of Sumter,
South Carolina, and that the plans for a formal wedding were set for August
5th. Many events had been planned and he hoped to arrive there early to join
the festivities. He became acquainted with Miss Rhame in June 1948, while the
Cadets were on their Air Force tour. However, he received his orders for active
duty in the Pacific and the wedding was advanced, and the marriage took place
on July 13, 1950 in New Albany, Indiana. Lieutenant Littlefield and his wife
then went to Santa Ana, California, so that he could be with both his wife and
his mother before departing west. A close association and the warmest of
friendship developed between Betty and Warren's mother, and Betty stayed in
California so that they were together after Warren left.
It was with great sadness that the news of Warren's death was
received and yet it was faced with the same courage that Warren Littlefield
demonstrated in his action in Korea. It created a severe test of mental and moral
stamina. Warren's mother faced the loss
of her husband in World War II and her only son shortly after in the Korean
battlefields. The life which looked so bright to Warren Littlefield and
his bride came to a sudden ending.
It was the sacrifice of war which is suffered most by those who remain.
In this memorial, in which we honor Lieutenant Warren C. Littlefield for his
courage and devoted service to his country, we honor his good mother and his
fine wife who survive him. It is the cost of war, yet necessary if freedom is
to be preserved and our country is to survive. It is the sacrifice of
Lieutenant Warren C. Littlefield and the
suffering of his mother, Victoria Carr Littlefield, and of his wife,
Betty Rhame Littlefield, and of the other noble citizens of the United States,
who have also carried the burden of
wars, that have enabled this country and the people within it to be free.
They have paid the price for us to live
as we live, and for us to have the many
blessings of democracy.
I am sure that Warren C. Littlefield lived up to the full traditions and
training he received at West Point and that his service brings honor to that
institution. I am happy to place this statement in memory of Lieutenant Warren
C. Littlefield, to remain with the records of the many graduates of that worthy
institution which have meant so much in the protection of the life of America.
--Mason Ladd
Dean, College of Law
State University of Iowa
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USMA 1950