Medal of Honor recipient Retired Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston toured Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533
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| Retired Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston (center), a Medal of Honor recipient, takes a picture with Sgt. Maj. Derrick N. Mays (left), the squadron sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, and Lt. Col. Kevin O’Rourke (right), the commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-533, during a tour of VMFA(AW)-533, March 14. (Photo by Sgt. Marcy Sanchez) |
Retired Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, a Medal of Honor recipient,
toured Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 and spoke with
Marines about Marine aviation, March 14.
During a recent visit to Charleston, S.C., he spoke about the beginnings of his career.
“I wanted to be an engineer; I thought I was going to go on to build
bridges,” said Livingston. “I got my draft notice in 1961 that said,
‘Boy, you’re coming to see us!’”
Livingston recalls that the recruiter who came to see him promised him
two things: that he would be in great physical condition and he would
have all the beer he could drink. And with that, Livingston recalls,
they had him.
After graduating from Auburn University, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1962.
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| Retired Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston (right), a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, is welcomed by Sgt. Maj. Derrick N. Mays (center), the squadron sergeant major of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, and Lt. Col. Kevin O’Rourke (left), the commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-533, during a tour of VMFA(AW)-533, March 14. (Photo by Sgt. Marcy Sanchez) |
A year after being promoted to the rank of captain in 1966, he served
with the 3rd Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam in August, 1967.
On May 2, 1968, while serving as the commanding officer of Company “E”,
2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, his company launched an assault on the
heavily fortified village of Dai Do, which had been seized by the enemy
on the previous evening, isolating a Marine company from the remainder
of the battalion.
According to his Medal of Honor Citation, he 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.
Read More: In presence of hero By Cpl. John Wilkes | Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort | March 25, 2014
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gen livingstone, by all acounts is the finest marine officer to ever put boots on, it was my honor to serve under him at marine barracks, london uk 1979 -81, thank you for your service tiger
This guy is amazing! He won 7 medals, ranked as a captain, and got great education! It's no wonder he was smart enough to choose the Marines.