| 
Born: January 12, 1940
Towns, Telfair County, Georgia
War: Vietnam
Rank: Captain, US Marine Corps,
Company E, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious
Brigade
Location of action: Dai Do, Republic of Vietnam
Date of action: May 2, 1968
Medal received from: President Richard Nixon
May 14, 1970
Official Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding
Officer, Company E, in action against enemy forces. Company
E launched a determined assault on the heavily fortified village
of Dai Do, which had been seized by the enemy on the preceding
evening isolating a marine company from the remainder of the
battalion. Skillfully employing screening agents, Capt. Livingston
maneuvered his men to assault positions across 500 meters
of dangerous open rice paddy while under intense enemy fire.
Ignoring hostile rounds impacting near him, he fearlessly
led his men in a savage assault against enemy emplacements
within the village. While adjusting supporting arms fire,
Capt. Livingston moved to the points of heaviest resistance,
shouting words of encouragement to his marines, directing
their fire, and spurring the dwindling momentum of the attack
on repeated occasions. Although twice painfully wounded by
grenade fragments, he refused medical treatment and courageously
led his men in the destruction of over 100 mutually supporting
bunkers, driving the remaining enemy from their positions,
and relieving the pressure on the stranded marine company.
As the two companies consolidated positions and evacuated casualties,
a third company passed through the friendly lines launching
an assault on the adjacent village of Dinh To, only to be
halted by a furious counterattack of an enemy battalion. Swiftly
assessing the situation and disregarding the heavy volume
of enemy fire, Capt. Livingston boldly maneuvered the remaining
effective men of his company forward, joined forces with the
heavily engaged marines, and halted the enemy's counterattack
Wounded a third time and unable to walk, he steadfastly remained
in the dangerously exposed area, deploying his men to more
tenable positions and supervising the evacuation of casualties.
Only when assured of the safety of his men did he allow himself
to be evacuated. Capt. Livingston's gallant actions uphold
the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval
Service.
Bio:
Brigadier General JamesLivingston was born January 12, 1940 in
Towns, Georgia, and attended Auburn University. A member of
the Platoon Leaders Class while attending Auburn, he graduated
with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering and was commissioned
a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He also holds an
M.A. degree in Management from Webster University (1984).
Upon completion of the Basic School, at Quantico, Virginia
in December 1962, Livingston remained at the base to serve
as Platoon Commander, Company A, Schools Demonstration Troops,
and, later with Company H, 2d Training Battalion, Officer
Candidates School.
Livingston’s career advanced through the ranks of command
to Captain, and he was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam
as Commanding Officer, Company E, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines,
where he earned the Medal of Honor.
Ordered back to the United States in November 1968, Livingston
completed the Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course, at
Quantico. He again advanced through the ranks. In March 1975
he became the Operation Officer and participated in the Vietnam
evacuation operations, which included the Republic of Vietnam
Evacuation Force and Operation “Frequent Wind,”
the evacuation of Saigon.
Returning to the U.S. in March 1976, he attended the Marine
Corps Command and Staff College. Following graduation in May
1977, he was subsequently assigned as Commanding Officer,
Marine Barracks, United Kingdom, in London.
In 1980 Livingston was selected to attend the Air War College.
After graduation, he returned to the Marine Corps Recruit
Depot, Parris Island, SC, where he served as the Commanding
Officer, 3d Recruit training Battalion and then as the Assistant
Chief of Staff.
From February 1986 until June 1987 he was assigned as Commanding
Officer, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune,
N.C. He was then assigned as Senior Marine/Joint Plans and
Programs Officer (Chief) at Joint US Assistance Group in the
Philippines. While serving in this capacity, he was selected
in December 1987 for promotion to brigadier general. Livingston retired from the Marine Corps a major general in 1995.
Of Note:
Medals and awards include:
The Medal of Honor
Silver Star, Bronze Star with combat “V”
Purple Heart
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star
Navy Commendation Medal
Combat Action Ribbon with gold star
The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with gold star
General Livingston is also a qualified military parachutist.
|
