He was then sent to San Diego to electronics school before returning to Camp Lejeune, initially with a tank battalion, and finally 2d Force Recon.

He left the Marines in 1965, did a short stint in the Reserves, and returned to active duty to deploy to Vietnam, where he joined the 1st Force Recon Company at Camp Reasoner in 1967.

He comments on Saigon, the Splendide Hotel, tiger stripes, tractors and water buffalo, Leatherneck Square, and the Easter Offensive.

Upon completion of the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk,Virginia, in 1980, General Livingston was assigned to MCCDC, Quantico, where he served as Tactics Group Chief and Operations Officer of The Basic School until May 1983.

General Livingston was assigned duty as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Force Structure Implementation, Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters, Marine Corps in February 1992.

He assumed duties as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in July 1992.

Livingstons Navy Cross would have been a Medal of Honor if another American had survived the battle in order to testify as to the heroic acts that substantiated the award.)

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.

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.

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.