Merrit Cecil Walton
| Merrit Cecil Walton | |
|---|---|
| Born |
December 18, 1915 St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Died | August 7, 1942 (aged 26) Gavutu in the Solomon Islands |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1937–1942 |
| Rank | Platoon Sergeant |
| Unit | 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Battle of Guadalcanal |
| Awards |
Navy Cross (posthumous) Purple Heart share of Presidential Unit Citation |
Merrit Cecil Walton (December 18, 1915 – August 7, 1942) was an American Marine Corps platoon sergeant who died a hero in battle at Gavutu in the Solomon Islands.
Walton enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 19, 1937 at San Francisco, California, and initially served at San Diego, California, before going to the Asiatic Station that autumn. As a member of the 4th Marine Regiment, quartered in the International Settlement of Shanghai, China, Walton witnessed part of the bloody battle that raged for that key city between Chinese and Japanese forces and, as such, was an early observer of Japanese aggression in the Far East. During his tour in China, he received promotion to private, 1st class, on May 10, 1939.
Returning to the United States in the autumn of 1940, Walton served successive tours of duty at the Marine barracks at Mare Island, Vallejo, California; the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey; Quantico, Virginia, and New River, North Carolina. He was promoted to Sergeant on August 1, 1941 and platoon sergeant on April 8, 1942.
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