Longtime Palisades Resident Named Veteran of the Year

Col. Dick Littlestone honored for service to the country by LA City Council

By Sam Catanzaro

A longtime Pacific Palisades resident, veteran of WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam War, was recently recognized for his service to the country when named by city officials as Veteran of the Year.

United States Army Colonel Dick Littlestone, a Pacific Palisades resident for 47 years, was named by Los Angeles City Council last month as Veteran of the Year for Council District 11, which includes the Palisades. Col. Littlestone served in the United States Army for 33 years and is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and more than a dozen other honors. The honor, which was bestowed to Col. Littlestone on Veterans Day, was announced in Councilmember Mike Bonin’s November newsletter.

“Throughout his decades of service to both his country and his community, Colonel Littlestone has consistently combined his passion for the military with education,” Bonin said. “Colonel Dick Littlestone is an extraordinary example of patriotic duty and service – to his country and to the City of Los Angeles.”

In addition to his time in the army, Col. Littlestone has served as Chair and Professor of UCLA’s Department of Military Science and as the Associate Director of the UCLA Computers and Information Systems Research Program in the Graduate School of Management.

A rendering of the final Los Angeles National Cemetery’s Columbarium Expansion. Photo: National Cemetery Administration (NCA) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Col. Littlestone has also been a driving force behind Los Angeles National Cemetery’s new and expanded columbarium, a 4.4-acre project on the West Los Angeles VA Campus that will house the remains of over 90,000 veterans and their family members. And while Col. Littlestone says the process of working with the VA has “been long”, progress was made on October 15, 2019 when the new columbarium was unveiled.

“It’s important to me. But more importantly, the new columbarium will double the number of people who can be buried in Los Angeles. Until now, people were buried in Riverside. And now, 90,000 veterans and their kin can rest peacefully in the new columbarium — and for many, closer to their homes and living relatives. I am happy too because I know that I have a place where I can rest up,” Col. Littlestone told Bonin.

Col. Littlestone, who has been advocating for veterans for decades, says it his service in three wars and all the Army has provided him that drives his continued involvement and advocacy.

“…now, 90,000 veterans and their kin can rest peacefully in the new columbarium — and for many, closer to their homes and living relatives. I am happy too because I know that I have a place where I can rest up.”

Col. Dick Littlestone

“The fact that I am a Veteran of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam war and my years of army service drive my advocacy. Through the G.I. Bill, I was able to have a number of advanced degrees and have a wonderful career as a result. I’ve been married for 71 years. And since being retired, I have enjoyed advocating for veterans and other communities,” Col. Littlestone said.

This was not the first time Col. Littlestone was recognized by Los Angeles officials. In 2015 he was honored with the first-ever Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ Veterans Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Colonel Dick Littlestone is a shining example for all of us of patriotic duty and service, to his country and Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl at the time.

As for the nearly 50 years living in the Palisades?

“I am very fortunate to have lived here for the last 47 years. I enjoy the ambiance and the weather. I am lucky to live near the water where it is clear and warm,” Col. Littlestone says.

Related Posts

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

New Playground, Library Services, Tennis Courts and More Coming to Palisades Rec Center 

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Significant improvements are in progress at the Pacific Palisades Recreation Center, with multiple projects advancing Significant improvements are in progress...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Committee Granted Authority to Oversee Grants and Donations for Palisades Council

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Grants Committee is tasked with developing application processes and eligibility standards for PPCC grants and donations The Pacific Palisades...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually Santa Monica’s...

Multi-Family Venice Property on Rare Double Lot Lists at Over $5M

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

In total, the four units provide 5,398 square feet of living space A multi-family property located one block from Venice...

Vacant Alphabet Streets Lot Lists for $1.99M After Price Cuts

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The site previously held a 6,001-square-foot residence built in 2018, which included a basement, possibly streamlining the permitting process for...