FORMER THOMPSON NATIONAL VETERANS CO-CHAIR, MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT MAJOR GENERAL JAMES E. LIVINGSTON, JOINS TEAM MCCAIN

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (ret.), recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor and former National Veterans Co-Chairman for Fred Thompson, joined over 100 former general and flag officers to endorse John McCain for President of the United States.

"Senator McCain is a true American patriot whose decades of fine service to this great nation make him the best candidate in this race for President of the United States," said Gen. Livingston. "His tireless efforts to defend this nation's security and to take care of those who have served on the front lines of conflict throughout the world deserve our respect and support. It is with pleasure that I join the company of former service members in support of John McCain."

John McCain thanked Gen. Livingston for his support, stating, "I am deeply honored to have earned the support of an American hero such as General Livingston. His service and performance under fire are shining examples of the best traditions of U.S. Marine Corps, and we are very proud to have him on board."

General Livingston joins fellow Medal of Honor recipients Colonel George E. "Bud" Day, USAF (ret.) and Colonel Leo Thorsness, USAF (ret.) in support of John McCain's candidacy. Cols. Day and Thorsness served as POWs with Senator McCain in North Viet Nam. "We are pleased to have the support of a great Marine and a great American like General Livingston," said Col. Day and Col. Thorsness.

General Livingston was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct as a captain in command of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, in a battle for Dai Do, Viet Nam. Then-Captain Livingston's company reinforced two other companies from their battalion that had been attacked by a full regiment of North Vietnamese troops. General Livingston was wounded three times in the course of the firefight, but continued to lead his company through several assaults against North Vietnamese positions, and had to be dragged to safety by his fellow Marines when he tried to stay behind to cover the withdrawal of one of the companies. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions and leadership under fire by President Richard Nixon in 1970.

General Livingston resides in South Carolina.