Marine Captain Overcomes Enemy Counterattack

James E. Livingston served as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade during operations in the Republic of Vietnam. On May 2, 1968, his company launched an assault on the heavily fortified village of Dai Do, which had been captured by enemy forces, cutting off a Marine company from the rest of the battalion.

With great skill, Captain Livingston led his men through 500 meters of open rice paddies under intense enemy fire, positioning them for the assault. Ignoring the danger, he led a fierce attack on enemy positions within the village. Despite being wounded twice by grenade fragments, he refused medical treatment, guiding his Marines as they destroyed over 100 bunkers, driving the enemy out and relieving the trapped Marine company.

As they consolidated their positions, a third Marine company was met with a fierce enemy counterattack from a nearby village. Assessing the situation quickly, Captain Livingston led the remaining men of his company to reinforce the embattled Marines and stop the counterattack. Wounded a third time and unable to walk, he stayed in the exposed area, organizing his men and overseeing the evacuation of casualties. Only after ensuring the safety of his Marines did he allow himself to be evacuated.