James Everette Livingston

James Everette Livingston. United States Marine Corps. , [Primary photo caption reads] , Maj. General James E. Livingston speaking at a Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove event, 2011., Major General James E. Livingston received the Medal of Honor for his role as an infantry company commander at Dai Do, Vietnam in May 1968., In June 1962, after graduating with a civil engineering degree, Livingston was commissioned as a Marine second lieutenant. After his first tour of duty in Vietnam, Livingston was given the opportunity to train new recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island., During his second tour of duty in Vietnam, Livingston was the commanding officer of Company E of the 2nd Battalion. On May 1, 1968, a nearby village was taken over by enemy forces in an attack that left a Marine company isolated from the rest of the battalion. Livingston's company was ordered to win back the heavily fortified village., On May 2nd, Livingston's men began their assault against enemy emplacements and Livingston moved to the points of heaviest resistance encouraging his Marines, directing their fire and maintaining their momentum. Later in the fight, Livingston was wounded a third time and could no longer walk., [Photo caption reads] Major General James E. Livingston, According to Livingston's citation, he remained in the dangerously exposed area until he was assured of the safe evacuation of both casualties and able-bodied men., "The MOH is the reflection of the experience I had in Vietnam, but most of all, it's the reflection of the fine young Marines I wear it for," Livingston said when he was asked what the medal means to him. "I try to wear it in remembrance of them.", Livingston retired on Sept. 1. 1995, after a 33-year career. He has remained active in the military community. He wrote a book about his experiences, called "Noble Warrior" and he continues to take part in military awareness campaigns and veterans' events., General Livingston is an Honorary Board Member of the Friends of the Medal of Honor Grove and continues to be a strong supporter., 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., CONFLICT/ERA: Vietnam War , RANK: Captain , UNIT/COMMAND: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade , ENLISTED FROM: McRae, GA, United States , BORN: January 12, 1940, Towns, GA, United States , ACTION PLACE: Dai Do, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam , ACTION DATE: May 2, 1968 , PRESENTATION DETAILS: Presented by President Richard M. Nixon , PRESENTATION DATE: May 14, 1970 , DIED: [N/A] , BURIED: [N/A]