Livsey is a native of Clarkston, Georgia. He is a 1952 graduate of North Georgia College. Years later he served as a trustee for the university foundation.[2] 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.
Career
In 1953, Livsey served his first combat tour as platoon leader with the 3rd Infantry Division in South 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.
Awards and decorations 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 Medals, Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Personal life In October 2008, a portion of Highway 314 in Fayetteville, Georgia was renamed as the "General Bill Livsey Highway" in Livsey's honor. 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 the University of North Georgia's campus was renamed the William J. "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field in Livsey's honor. A commemorative plaque bearing Livsey's likeness was added near the reviewing stand.[3]
On 15 August 2015, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting Ryan Irvin, a food delivery man for a local Chinese restaurant, and resisting arrest in Fayetteville, Georgia. Meanwhile, the restaurant wants to drop the incident entirely
As officers tried to handcuff him, Livsey resisted, according to the police chief. The struggle created a small laceration on Livsey's arm. Fayette County EMS was called to the scene to treat the injury and police tried to handcuff Livsey again.
The police chief said Livsey tried "to punch one of the officers and kick another one all while making threatening and disparaging remarks." In his interview with the AJC, the retired general spoke with emotion over what he called his mistreatment by authorities. "It's the first time in my life I'm ashamed to be an American," Livsey said. "They took me away without my shoes, glasses or medicine." He added, "I fought for this country so hard, and I've tried to do good all my life."
Livsey was a platoon leader in the Korean War and later commanded an infantry battalion in Vietnam before returning to South Korea to command U.S. forces there in the mid-1980s. He retired in 1987. He received many awards and decorations during his military career, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In October 2008, a portion of Highway 314 in Fayetteville was renamed the "General Bill Livsey Highway" in Livsey's honor. Livsey was taken to the Fayette County jail on charges of robbery, misdemeanor obstruction, theft of services, simple assault and terroristic threats.
He should have just gone to the garage, gotten into his Sherman tank, and flattened the guy’s car.
And how does an INFANTRY officer get a Distinguished Flying Cross?
Good thing Livsey and his houseguests didn’t try this in Waco. They would all be full of lead from the SWAT team.
Yes he misbehaved, but he is 84 and has up to now has been a good ex-service man. The matter should be dismissed and charges dropped. Old guys and gals deserve one free pass.
He offered two ways to pay, but the restaurant wants cash. He got frustrated and lost his temper. A mild anti-depressant gets me through the day, Before I had some anger outbreaks.
The local newspaper from that area had a fairly long article on this incident. I find this telling:
“Livsey on Aug. 17 received a $12,000 special conditions bond from the Fayette County Magistrate Court. A condition of the bond required that Livsey enroll in an alcohol abuse treatment program.”
He could have offered them missile guidance technology in exchange for the chow mien. He would have gotten more from the deal then BJ Clinton.