![battle of dai do medal of honor battle of dai do medal of honor](https://signalscv.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/12003622/020818_news_medal_honor_vargas_NS_o_1.jpg)
![battle of dai do medal of honor battle of dai do medal of honor](https://coffeeordie.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Low-Blue.jpg)
With hostile rounds buzzing all around him, Livingston pushed forward toward the heaviest points of resistance. "It was very hot, we were sweating, and it was humid that day," said Livingston, thinking back to the battle. Livingston maneuvered his men to assault positions across 500 meters of dangerous open rice paddy while under intense enemy fire. Skillfully employing screening agents, (then) Capt. Livingston brought his high standards to the fight, led from the front and made sure any casualty of war didn't come from lackadaisical leadership or careless training of his Marines.Īccording to the Medal of Honor citation, on May 2, 1968, Echo Company launched an assault on the heavily fortified village of Dai Do, which had been seized by the enemy on the preceding evening, isolating a Marine company from the remainder of the battalion. Echo Company had a nearly 60 percent causality rate prior to Livingston and his men arriving. Going into the humid jungles of Vietnam with Echo Company, Livingston knew the odds were stacked heavily against the Marines. As their leader, they relied on me and I relied on them to be combat ready." I was hard on them because not only was I looking to complete the mission, but I was looking to bring those boys home. "I pushed my Marines hard," said Livingston. After completing his first assignment, deployed to Southeast Asia, out of Camp Pendleton, Livingston took on his second tour of Vietnam as Commanding Officer, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. This lesson in leadership transcended dress and appearance, and carried onto the battle field. anyone can shout orders from the rear, but I would not want to follow such 'leaders' into harm's way." Livingston, USMC (Ret.), Medal of Honor." "You have to lead from the front. "I led by example and was always shaved, had my gear in order, and was always in the front of a fight or PT run," Livingston, wrote in his autobiography "NOBLE WARRIOR: The Story of Maj. The Georgia boy was officially a proud officer in the Marines.Īs a young officer, Livingston wanted to not only lead his Marines, but wanted to lead them by example.
![battle of dai do medal of honor battle of dai do medal of honor](https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/assets/1/7/MainFCKEditorDimension/Bob_Letter_REV2.jpg)
In June 1962, Livingston entered the U.S. But Livingston lived to tell his tale.Ī native of McRae, Ga, Livingston left his father's farm and attended The Military College of Georgia and was a member of the school's renowned Corps of Cadets before transferring and finishing his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Auburn University. Seventy percent of all Medals of Honor are awarded posthumously, so the opportunity for those brave warriors to share their story is often lost by the hands of fate on the battlefield. Each citation tells a different story of courage and valor, and each story is another reminder of sacrifice written in the pages of American history. Since those early roots, often saturated in the blood of fallen servicemembers at the dawn of modern American history, the Medal of Honor has been awarded 3,468 times. The medal's lineage dates back to the American Civil War. It is presented by the President of the United States in the name of the Congress. military servicemembers for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. "They represent the highest standard and sacrifice for their country, and it's my honor to represent them." "I wear the Medal of Honor for the Marines that died that day (May 2, 1968)," said Livingston. Livingston, Charleston, S.C., resident and Medal of Honor recipient, it was never his award to wear. The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration.įor retired Maj.