Special Guest Speaker:
Medal of Honor Recipient Major General James Livingston

Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Department and Beaufort National Cemetery are partnering again this year to host a Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., in Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street (map).

Guest speaker will be Medal of Honor Recipient Major General James Livingston. Major General Livingston was awarded the Medal of Honor May 14, 1970, by President Richard M. Nixon during a ceremony at the White House. During the Vietnam War, then Captain Livingston was Commanding Officer of Company E, 2D Battalion, 4th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade.

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor website: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, Company E, in action against enemy forces. Company E launched a determined 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. Skillfully employing screening agents, Capt. Livingston maneuvered his men to assault positions across 500 meters of dangerous open rice paddy while under intense enemy fire."

Read the entire citation here.

The sister of Medal of Honor recipient Ralph Johnson, Charleston native, will be one of the guests of honor at the ceremony and will lay a remembrance wreath on her brother's grave. 

Read about Pfc. Ralph Johnson's military service and honors here. According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a reconnaissance scout with Company A, in action against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces. Pfc. Johnson's courage, inspiring valor, and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Join us in honoring the great service and sacrifice of our Vietnam War veterans with a pinning ceremony. All Vietnam Var Veterans, the families and the general public is invited to this free event. 

The Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Office assists veterans, their spouses and other dependents with access to government programs for which they are eligible. Veterans Affairs Counselors are available by appointment only by calling 843-255-6880. For more information click here.

The Federal Benefits Handbook for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors is available here or by visiting www.va.gov. 

For more information, contact Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880.