In April 1970, while serving as an Infantry advisor in Vietnam, Sergeant Littrell was thrust in to command of a battalion of South Vietnamese Rangers in defending their position. His extraordinary actions over the next four days in leading operations in the face of overwhelming odds earned him the nation's highest military honor and are featured in the book Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty.

CSM Littrell retired from the Army in 1983 and today serves as National President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.