CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A Vietnam era Medal of Honor recipient talked with a group of Charleston AFB Airmen here Dec. 30.
Retired Marine Maj. Gen. James Livingston met with members of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 3 and spoke about the events leading up to his receiving the Medal of Honor in 1970 from President Richard Nixon. He also talked about qualities of leadership.
During his second tour-of-duty in 1968, then Captain Livingston and 180 of his Marines, came under attack from a large group of North Vietnamese in Dai Do, Vietnam in the early hours of the day. Out of the 180 Marines that were in his command, during the daylong fight to keep open a re-supply route along the Cua Viet River, only 25 Marines walked away without being injured or killed.
It was in the rice paddies of the area they were defending that General Livingston would see the dedication of the Marines he served with.
According to the general, he believes it was the relationships between the Marines that helped get them through the fight.
"The Marines didn't want to leave each other that day, because of the relationships they had between them.
"These are the strongest, most meaningful relationships because of the experiences [they shared] with fellow Marines and Navy docs during the fight. These relationships supersede all family relations because of the experiences in battle," said the Georgia native.
To also highlight the determination of the Marines during the fight in Dai Do, General Livingston spoke about a private first class, who just a day prior to the battle of Dai Do, General Livingston had administered an Article 15 and demoted him. While in fight for the re-supply route, the Marine killed 60 North Vietnamese Army soldiers. For the Marine's part in the battle, General Livingston recommended him for a Silver Star and promoted him back to private first class.
For General Livingston, his part in the battle ended around 3 p.m. that day when he took a hit to his leg by a .50 caliber machine gun. Even though he was severely wounded, General Livingston did not leave the battle until he was assured his fellow Marines were safe.
While the fight in Vietnam occurred more than 40 years ago, the general still has contact with the Marines that fought alongside him on that humid day in May.
He spoke about one Marine who still refers to himself as private first class and salutes the general.
"Every one of those Marines that walked away wants me to remember them ... it was their defining experience," said the general.
While it was General Livingston who received the Medal of Honor for the actions taken in Dai Do, he explained it was the efforts of all of the Marines that day that led to him receiving the medal.
"A Medal of Honor recipient is known as a 'recipient' because you share the medal with those who served with you."
Though the former Marine Reserve Force commander recounted his time in Vietnam, he also spoke about what qualities a leader should possess.
For General Livingston, he believes a good leader should take time to reflect on one's own actions and be accountable.
"Exceptional leaders can be very candid about themselves when doing a self critique. Leaders must evaluate themselves and be accountable; if you do something wrong you will grow, if you accept responsibility you will grow faster and benefit from the experience."
During his time on the base, General Livingston took questions from OSI member. One member asked the general if he has seen changes in the military.
For the 33 year veteran of the Marines, he has not seen any changes as the "casual observer" might.
"I have heard a lot about change in military ... but I detect new technologies in the military. I don't believe in the notion of changes in the military, just changes in threats. The strength of the military is in its adaptability.
"At the end of the day when I visit Parris Island, S.C., as I have since 1962, and I see young people cross the graduation deck I still see that they want to be Marines."
As the General was nearing the end of his visit to Charleston AFB, he wanted to pass along to today's warrior a word of gratitude.
"I want to give thanks for their service, contributions and their winning. I think what they are doing is very, very important for the security and welfare of this great nation we all love to live in. [I] just want them to continue to perform to the best of their ability and I am sure they will do that.
"The big point I would in part on them is they will leave a legacy, and I think they are going to leave a legacy that is very important because the next generation of warriors will be looking at their legacy."