[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 182 (Friday, October 31, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1023-E1024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF MAJOR GENERAL JAMES E. LIVINGSTON, USMC, 
                                RETIRED

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD McCORMICK

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 2025

  Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Medal of Honor 
winner Major General James E. Livingston, USMC Retired, and the 
University of North Georgia's permanent dedication of the North Plaza 
at the Gen. William ``Lipp'' Livsey Drill Field as the `Major General 
James E. Livingston Medal of Honor Plaza'. This permanent naming is in 
recognition of Major General Livingston's lifelong service to America, 
his commitment to the mission and work of the University of North 
Georgia--The Military College of Georgia, and his ``conspicuous 
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the 
call of duty'' for which he earned our Nation's highest award for 
valor, the Medal of Honor.
  A native of McRae, Georgia, in TeIfair County, James E. Livingston 
attended North Georgia College (NGC) from 1957 to 1958. He departed NGC 
to study engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 
June 1962 from Auburn University. His early assignments included 
service as a platoon commander, intelligence officer, and as a Recruit 
Training Regiment series commander. Major General Livingston served as 
the Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the Aircraft 
Carrier USS Wasp and then joined the 3d Marine Division in the Republic 
of Vietnam in August 1967. On May 2, 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 at the 
Battle of Dai Do, Republic of Vietnam.
  The following is a (short) excerpt from his actions that day:

       ``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.'' For his incredibly heroic actions on that 
     fateful day, Major General Livingston earned the Medal of 
     Honor which was presented to him on 14 May 1970 by President 
     Richard Nixon in a ceremony at the White House. Today, Major 
     General Livingston stands as one of only 61 living Medal of 
     Honor recipients. Although, he only attended North Georgia 
     College for one year, to this day he credits his North 
     Georgia experience with setting the foundation for his life 
     by instilling timeless leadership principles, fostering 
     maturity, and making him tough. This quote is from Major 
     General Livingston in a recent interview in late 2024: ``One 
     of the greatest things to ever happen to me in my life was 
     the opportunity to come to (attend) what was then North 
     Georgia College. . .let me assure you I would have never been 
     successful in what I learned about myself, what I learned 
     about what I needed to know and needed to reinforce through 
     my whole life. Those values of understanding how to live your 
     life, how to be successful in your life, how to achieve in 
     your life . . . all values I learned at North Georgia.''

  His foundational experience at North Georgia was evidenced by his 
donation of one of his original Medals of Honor which he received from 
President Nixon in 1970 to UNG in October 2024. Of note, each medal of 
honor recipient receives only two medals--Major General Livingston is 
leaving one to his family and the second to the University of North 
Georgia, in perpetuity. In a speech to the UNG Corps of Cadets--
America's Corps in September 2024, he emotionally shared how the Corps' 
rigorous training shaped his philosophy of leading by example and 
maintaining discipline under pressure, qualities evident in his heroic 
actions at the Battle of Dai Do. Major General Livingston's formative 
experience in UNG's Cadet Corps laid the groundwork for his 
distinguished 33-year Marine Corps career. He is the epitome of the UNG 
Cadet Corps and the mission and work of the University of North 
Georgia--The Military College of Georgia. As UNG delivers the Corps of 
the Future--America's Corps, it will be the legacy of leaders like 
Major General

[[Page E1024]]

Livingston who inspire the next generation of selfless Americans to 
answer our Nation's call.

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