Sept. 7 Gameday Hero is Auburn’s only Medal of Honor recipient

While plenty of Auburn University alumni have served in the United States military, Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston is the only one who was awarded the country’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Livingston was honored for his service and bravery as the Gameday Hero on Pat Dye Field during the Tigers’ football game versus California this past Saturday, Sept. 7.

In 1962, Livingston graduated from Auburn with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps the very same day. He rose through the ranks, serving as a platoon commander, intelligence officer and recruit training commander. After a year aboard the U.S.S. Wasp, Livingston was assigned to serve as the commanding officer of a unit fighting in the Vietnam War.

When his company was tasked with attacking a heavily fortified village called Dai Do, Livingston led his troops through dangerous enemy fire to attack the opponents’ positions and relieve a group of Marines stranded in the village. He continued to direct the attack through not one, but two separate injuries from grenade fragments.

When he was wounded a third time, he stayed in a dangerously exposed area, despite the fact he couldn’t walk, to ensure the safety of his troops and the evacuation of casualties. He was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor, recognizing his bravery and courage during the battle. He also has been awarded a Silver Star Medal, a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Service Medal and Defense Superior Service Medal.

Despite these many accolades, Livingston attributes his strength in battle to the young men he was leading.

“That kind of bravery comes from an association with young Marines,” he said. “The young 18- to 20-year-old Marines set the standard. You told those kids to go down range, and they never hesitated, even though a lot of them wouldn’t come back.”

After recovering from his injuries, Livingston returned to war and was an operations officer during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. He is still haunted by the memory of being on the last helicopter out, knowing 68,000 soldiers were not returning home to their families.

“Their loss was a gift, both from themselves and from their families,” he said. “They can never have a chance to be fathers and grandfathers. They were doing what they wanted to do and what their country wanted them to.”

Livingston went on to complete a 33-year career in the Marine Corps before retiring in 1995. He and his wife created a scholarship to help students who have or are planning to serve their country. Established in 2022, the Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, MOH, and Mrs. Sara Craft Livingston Endowed Scholarship in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering provides financial support for engineering students, particularly student veterans or those enrolled in ROTC.

Livingston is proud and pleased he and his wife can support these students.

“Not only are they getting their education at Auburn, but they want to be patriotic and give back to their country, so it’s sort of a double win,” he said. “They’re educated and can go into the work force, and they’re also willing to give some of their time and effort back to their country.”

Livingston says the culture of Auburn has quite a few similarities to the U.S. military. As someone who has memorized the Auburn Creed, he’s noticed how it dovetails with the values of the Marine Corps. He loves the way Auburn students are bonded by their experiences in college and hold one another to high standards.

“The camaraderie and the long-lasting friendships of Auburn are similar to what you experience in the military,” he said. “Once you’re a War Eagle, you’re a War Eagle forever — just like being a Marine — and I think that’s the beauty of Auburn.”