Lawrence H. Livingston
Major General Lawrence H. Livingston (November 5, 1940 – September 28, 2018) was a retired United States Marine Corps officer. Livingston is a highly decorated combat veteran — receiving the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War, as well as the Silver Star, the two Legions of Merit, four Bronze Stars and five Purple Hearts.
Lawrence H. Livingston | |
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![]() Major General Lawrence H. Livingston | |
Born | Defiance, Ohio | November 5, 1940
Died | September 28, 2018 77) San Diego, California | (aged
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1960-1997 |
Rank | ![]() |
Commands held | 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines 6th Marine Regiment Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune 2nd Marine Division |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Navy Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (4) Purple Heart (5) |
Awards and honors
His personal decorations include:
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SCUBA Diver Insignia Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia Vietnam Parachutist Badge | ||||||||||||
1st Row | Navy Cross | Silver Star | Legion of Merit w/ 1 award star & Combat "V" | |||||||||
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2nd Row | Bronze Star w/ 3 award stars & Combat V | Purple Heart w/ 4 award stars | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Combat V | Combat Action Ribbon w/ 1 award star | ||||||||
3rd Row | Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 3 service stars | Navy Unit Commendation w/ 4 service stars | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 4 service stars | Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal | ||||||||
4th Row | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 service star | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 service star | Vietnam Service Medal w/ 7 service stars | ||||||||
5th Row | Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 2 service stars | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 4 service stars | Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ 1 gold and 2 silver stars | Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class | ||||||||
6th Row | Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation | Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation | Vietnam Campaign Medal | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) | ||||||||
Navy Cross citation
LIVINGSTON, LAWRENCE H.
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps
Advisor (Attached), 1st Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion
Date of Action: July 11, 1972
- The Navy Cross is presented to Lawrence H. Livingston, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism on 11 July 1972 while serving as Senior Advisor to the 1st Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion during a heliborne assault into enemy-held territory northeast of Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam. When the battalion encountered unexpectedly heavy enemy fire while disembarking into the landing zone, and sustained numerous casualties, Captain Livingston moved throughout the hasty positions taken by the scattered and hesitant element and formed the Marines into an assault force. Despite the continuing heavy concentration of hostile fire, he began the assault on the initial objective - a treeline approximately 50 yards distant. Although blown from his feet by explosions and periodically delayed to reform and redirect his casualty-riddled force, he forged ahead, leading the Vietnamese Marines into the enemy-infested trench lines of the objective and a subsequent hand-to-hand battle. Upon seizure of the initial portion of the trench line, Captain Livingston shed his combat equipment, emerged from the trench line, and exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire to reach and carry his wounded naval gunfire spotter to a position of relative safety. Captain Livingston's repeated acts of heroism in the face of heavy enemy fire reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Silver Star citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Lawrence Herbert Livingston (MCSN: 0-107447), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 April 1972 as the Assistant United States Marine Advisor to the First Infantry Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps. Captain Livingston and the company of Marines with which he was participating in a search operation, having just taken a prisoner for interrogation, were ambushed by a Vietnamese platoon. Within thirty seconds intense enemy fire had killed the Vietnamese Officer in Charge and killed or wounded all but two of the friendly forces in the immediate area. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Livingston braved intense enemy fire to recover the body of the Vietnamese officer and to remove several wounded to a protected area. Then, realizing that the prisoner would be able to provide intelligence, he questioned him and learned the enemy disposition. By organizing the resistance of his Vietnamese comrades, he ensured that the company was able to drive off the North Vietnamese. Captain Livingston's courageous and decisive action immediately following the death of the Vietnamese commander not only resulted in the withdrawal of the enemy platoon, saving an untold number of friendly casualties, but enabled the Vietnamese Marines, with the aid of supporting artillery fire, to inflict serious damage to a larger enemy unit nearby. Captain Livingston's devotion to duty, courage under fire and exemplary professionalism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[1]
References
- "Lawrence Herbert Livingston". Military Times.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Major General Lawrence H. Livingston, USMC (retired)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2006-10-14.
- "Major General Lawrence H. Livingston - Retired". Marine Corps Manpower & Reserve Affairs. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- "Full Text Citations For Award of The Navy Cross US Marine Corps Awards - Vietnam". HomeofHeroes.com. Archived from the original on 2006-09-28. Retrieved 2006-10-14.
External links
- "Marines in Vietnam, Historic Military Battles". Archived from the original on 2006-05-27. Retrieved 2006-10-14.