Lawrence H. Livingston


Major General Lawrence H. Livingston 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.

Awards and honors

His personal decorations include:

Navy Cross citation

LIVINGSTON, LAWRENCE H.

Captain, U.S. Marine Corps

Advisor, 1st Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion

Date of Action: July 11, 1972

Silver Star citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Lawrence Herbert Livingston, 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.