After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics, Houghton enlisted in the Marines on April 15, 1942.

[2] When the Korean War broke out, Captain Houghton was attached to the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and took part in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter in August 1950.

[1][3] In 1962, Houghton attended the Army War College and earned a master's degree in Political Science from George Washington University.

He then took part in Operation Union, in which the 21st North Vietnamese Regiment was decimated near the Quế Sơn Valley, from April to May of that year.

When Colonel Houghton was informed another large enemy force was in the area, he ordered 1/5 and 3/5 to sweep the region.

Company F was nearly decimated, and the commanding officer, Captain James A. Graham, was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.

He assumed command of the 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California on May 1, 1973, and was promoted to major general the next day.

Houghton assumed the role of Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.