William J. Livsey
Encyclopedia
William James Livsey is a retired United States Army
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, United States Forces Korea
/Commanding General, Eighth United States Army (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK/CG EUSA), 1984-1987.
Livsey is a native of Clarkston, Georgia
. He is a 1952 graduate of North Georgia College & State University. Years later he served as a trustee for the university foundation. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army. He has a Masters degree in Psychology from Vanderbilt University
. His military schooling includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
where he graduated first in his class, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College.
In 1953, Livsey served his first combat tour as platoon leader with the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea. He commanded his first company with the 30th Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1954. From 1958 to 1961, he served in Germany as a company commander in the 2nd Armored Rifle Battalion, 36th Infantry, 3rd Armored Division. He served his second combat tour in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 with the 4th Infantry Division as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Operations), and as the Commander, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry of the 3rd Brigade Task Force.
In May 1971, Livsey took command of the 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson. He later returned to Fort Carson in 1974 to serve as the Assistant Division Commander (Support) and as the Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver) for the 4th ID (M) until June 1976. From July 1977 to May 1979, he was the Commanding General of the Infantry Center and Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School
at Fort Benning, Georgia.
In May 1979, Livsey became the Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), United States Army Europe where he served until June 1981. He then assumed the position of Commanding General, VII Corps, USAREUR, and served there until July 1983. From July 1983 until April 1984 he served as the Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command
as well as Commanding General of the Third United States Army, Fort McPherson
, Georgia.
Other notable assignments include, I Corps Chief of Staff in Korea, Executive to the Army Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C. and Southeast Asia, staff officer in the Office of Research and Development, and leadership instructor at West Point.
In May, 1984, and until his retirement on June 30, 1987, Livsey served as Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command/Commander-in-Chief Combined Forces Command/ Commander, United States Forces, Korea/Commanding General Eighth United States Army.
Livsey's awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
, Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Silver Star
, Legion of Merit
(with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Distinguished Flying Cross
, Bronze Star
with "V" Device, Air Medal
s, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Combat Infantryman Badge
(2nd Award), Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
In October 2008, a portion of Highway 314 in Fayetteville, GA was renamed in his honor, the 'General Bill Livsey Highway'. Numerous active and retired military leaders, including Major General Jack Wheeler, were in attendance. Also in attendance was HeroBox
, a non-profit organization that sends custom care packages to American soldiers.
On April 18, 2009, the drill field at the center of North Georgia College & State University's campus was renamed the William J. "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field in the retired General's honor. A commemorative plaque bearing Livsey's likeness was added near the reviewing stand.
Livsey and his wife, the former Bena Sue Burns, currently reside in Fayetteville, Georgia
. They have four sons.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, United States Forces Korea
United States Forces Korea
United States Forces Korea refers to the ground, air and naval divisions of the United States armed forces stationed in South Korea....
/Commanding General, Eighth United States Army (CINCUNC/CINCCFC/COMUSFK/CG EUSA), 1984-1987.
Livsey is a native of Clarkston, Georgia
Clarkston, Georgia
Clarkston is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 7,554 at the 2010 census. The city is home to the central campus of Georgia Perimeter College....
. He is a 1952 graduate of North Georgia College & State University. Years later he served as a trustee for the university foundation. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army. He has a Masters degree in Psychology from Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
. His military schooling includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
where he graduated first in his class, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College.
In 1953, Livsey served his first combat tour as platoon leader with the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea. He commanded his first company with the 30th Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1954. From 1958 to 1961, he served in Germany as a company commander in the 2nd Armored Rifle Battalion, 36th Infantry, 3rd Armored Division. He served his second combat tour in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 with the 4th Infantry Division as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Operations), and as the Commander, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry of the 3rd Brigade Task Force.
In May 1971, Livsey took command of the 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson. He later returned to Fort Carson in 1974 to serve as the Assistant Division Commander (Support) and as the Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver) for the 4th ID (M) until June 1976. From July 1977 to May 1979, he was the Commanding General of the Infantry Center and Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School
United States Army Infantry School
The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade...
at Fort Benning, Georgia.
In May 1979, Livsey became the Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), United States Army Europe where he served until June 1981. He then assumed the position of Commanding General, VII Corps, USAREUR, and served there until July 1983. From July 1983 until April 1984 he served as the Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command
United States Army Forces Command
United States Army Forces Command is the largest Army Command and the preeminent provider of expeditionary, campaign-capable land forces to Combatant Commanders. Headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, FORSCOM consists of more than 750,000 Active Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National...
as well as Commanding General of the Third United States Army, Fort McPherson
Fort McPherson
Fort McPherson was a U.S. Army military base located in East Point, Georgia, on the southwest edge of the City of Atlanta, Ga. It was the headquarters for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Southeast Region; the U.S. Army Forces Command; the U.S. Army Reserve Command; the U.S...
, Georgia.
Other notable assignments include, I Corps Chief of Staff in Korea, Executive to the Army Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C. and Southeast Asia, staff officer in the Office of Research and Development, and leadership instructor at West Point.
In May, 1984, and until his retirement on June 30, 1987, Livsey served as Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command/Commander-in-Chief Combined Forces Command/ Commander, United States Forces, Korea/Commanding General Eighth United States Army.
Livsey's awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
, Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with "V" Device, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
(2nd Award), Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
In October 2008, a portion of Highway 314 in Fayetteville, GA was renamed in his honor, the 'General Bill Livsey Highway'. Numerous active and retired military leaders, including Major General Jack Wheeler, were in attendance. Also in attendance was HeroBox
HeroBox
HeroBox sends custom care packages to American soldiers around the world. Founder, Ryan Housley, realized the need for customized care packages after receiving requests for specific items from his younger brother who was deployed in Iraq. The standard care packages were not always meeting the...
, a non-profit organization that sends custom care packages to American soldiers.
On April 18, 2009, the drill field at the center of North Georgia College & State University's campus was renamed the William J. "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field in the retired General's honor. A commemorative plaque bearing Livsey's likeness was added near the reviewing stand.
Livsey and his wife, the former Bena Sue Burns, currently reside in Fayetteville, Georgia
Fayetteville, Georgia
Fayetteville is a town in Fayette County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 15,945. The city is the county seat of Fayette County. Fayetteville is located approximately 22 miles from the city of Atlanta....
. They have four sons.