the Marine Corps in national defense. While in this assignment, Hittle had the opportunity to cooperate with great names of modern Marine history such as: Merrill B. Twining, Victor H. Krulak, Merritt A. Edson, Robert E. Hogaboom, James E. Kerr, James C. Murray, Jonas M. Platt, DeWolf Schatzel, Samuel R. Shaw, Robert D. Heinl, Edward H. Hurst or Marine Corps Reserve officers John R. Blandford, Arthur B. Hanson, Lyford Hutchins, and William McCahill. Within this capacity, Hittle was well acquainted with chairman of Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments, Clare Hoffman, and, as a result, was able to work closely with him until enactment of legislation. As the legislation progressed, Hittle's tasks became more detailed, requiring daily trips to Washington. His work eventually achieved official status when the commandant Vandegrift formally approved his duties with Hoffman as special advisor on the National Security Act of 1947. Hittle's influence with committee members is credited with helping guarantee the independence of Marine Corps aviation in the face of air force pressure to be the sole air arm among other successes for the navy and Marine Corps. 1949-1960 Hittle was transferred to Salt Lake City in June 1949 and appointed executive officer of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps unit at the University of Utah. While in this capacity, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in November 1951 and also earned master's degree in Oriental History and Geography at the end of his tenure with Naval ROTC unit. He was transferred to the Headquarters Marine Corps in June 1952 and appointed legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps. Hittle served in this capacity consecutively under Commandants Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., Randolph M. Pate and David M. Shoup. Hittle officially retired from the active service on March 1, 1958, and was advanced to the rank of brigadier general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. However, he was immediately recalled to active service and served in the capacity of legislative assistant to the commandant until January 1960. Hittle was awarded the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement during the same year. Later career Shortly after his retirement from the Marine Corps, Hittle was offered the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, which he held until November 1960. He then served as director of national security and foreign affairs, Veterans of Foreign