James E. Livingston

[Vulture6]

JAMES E LIVINGSTON
MAJOR GENERAL, USMC



Major General James E. Livingston retired on 1 September 1995, following over 33 continuous years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. His last assignment was the Commanding General of Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1962, following graduation from Auburn University. Early assignments included service as a platoon commander, intelligence officer and as a Recruit Training Regiment series commander.

Promoted to captain in June 1966, General Livingston served as the Commanding Officer of the Marine detachment aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Wasp, before joining the 3d Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967.

On 2 May 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer, Company E, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, he distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy forces, and earned the Medal of Honor.

After his second tour in Vietnam, General Livingston served as an instructor at the Army’s Infantry School, Director of Division Schools for the 1st Marine Division, and later, as S-3 of the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines. In March 1975, he returned to Vietnam and served as Operations Officer for the Vietnam evacuation operations which included Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon.

He then commanded the Marine Barracks, United Kingdom, London, and served as Commanding Officer, 3d Recruit Training Battalion and then as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Training at the Marine Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. During this period, he earned a master’s degree in Management from Webster University. General Livingston then served with the 2d Marine Division and commanded the 6th Marines before joining the Joint U.S. Assistance Group in the Republic of the Philippines.

Following advancement to brigadier general on 10 June 1988, he served as Deputy Director for Operations at the National Military Command Center in Washington, D.C. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, General Livingston commanded the Marine Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, California and developed the Desert Warfare Training Program. After command of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, he was advanced to major general on 8 July 1991, and assumed command of the 4th Marine Division. In July 1992, he assumed command of the newly created Marine Reserve Force, and continued through its reorganization in October 1994, with its new title, Marine Forces Reserve.

Major General Livingston is a native of Towns, Georgia. He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Air War College. His decorations include: the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, Purple Heart (third award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (second award), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, Combat Action Ribbon (second award), and various other service and decorations. He is a qualified military parachutist.

Major General Livingston is married to the former Sara Craft. They have two daughters, Kimberly and Melissa.


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

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.