[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL JAMES LIVINGSTON

 Mr. SCOTT. Madam President, I would like to take a moment 
today to honor Beaufort, SC resident, Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, a 
33-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, for his 
tireless service to this country. He is truly an American patriot 
worthy of our recognition.
  Born in Towns, GA, General Livingston knew from a young age that he 
wanted to serve his country. While enrolled at the Military College of 
Georgia, he was a member of the nationally recognized Corps of Cadets. 
After graduating from Auburn University in 1962 with a degree in civil 
engineering, General Livingston rose through the ranks of the Marine 
Corps. From Vietnam to the Philippines and domestically, wherein he was 
the first commander of the Marine Reserve Forces, General Livingston 
distinguished himself with exceptional service all over the world. 
Throughout his long and storied career, General Livingston has made his 
mark as a man who leads by example.
  General Livingston, serving as the operations officer for 3D 
Battalion, 7th Marines, oversaw Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation 
of Saigon. Despite the urgency and chaos of the situation, General 
Livingston led with poise and professionalism: characteristics that 
would define his career. Due in large parts to General Livingston's 
leadership during Operation Frequent Wind, more than 7,000 American 
civilians and Vietnamese people in a desperate situation were airlifted 
out of Saigon and to safety.
  In 1968, while serving as the commanding officer, Company E, 2d 
Battalion, 4th Marines, General Livingston led his men on a determined 
assault on the village of Dai Do, where another Marine company had been 
isolated the night before when enemy forces seized the village. Despite 
being twice wounded by grenade fragments, General Livingston refused 
medical treatment and continued to lead his men across 500 meters of 
open rice fields. Having reestablished contact with the surrounded 
Marine Company, General Livingston then learned of a third Marine 
Company leading an attack on nearby Dinh To village. Marshalling his 
resources, General Livingston consolidated the two companies and led a 
support effort to halt the aggressive enemy counter attack from Dinh 
To. After being wounded a third time and rendered immobile, he remained 
in the combat zone and supervised the evacuation of his men. Only after 
his fellow marines were safe did General Livingston allow himself to be 
evacuated. For his gallantry, bravery, and selflessness, General 
Livingston was awarded the Medal of Honor from President Richard Nixon 
in 1970.
  In addition to the Medal of Honor, General Livingston also holds the 
Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Superior Service 
Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. It is because of men like 
James Livingston that Americans sleep easy at night, knowing they are 
safe from those who wish to inflict harm upon them.
  It is an honor that this Saturday, August 2, General Livingston will 
be the keynote speaker at my Vietnam Era Veterans Honor Ceremony in 
Columbia, SC where I will honor more than 1,500 veterans. General 
Livingston and his fellow veterans deserve to be recognized for their 
gallant efforts, and it will be my honor to stand with him on this 
special occasion.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Maj. Gen. James E. 
Livingston for a life and career dedicated to the protection of this 
Nation, her ideals, and her citizens.

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