Victory Ball

Celebrating Those Who Serve

Presented by Ray and Jessica Brandt Family Foundation
with support from Henry and Karen Coaxum and Bob and Sheryl Merrick

The 2021 Victory Ball will be a lavish reception featuring cocktails and culinary creations by The American Sector Restaurant & Bar, live music, entertainment, and dancing, as well as unlimited access to the Museum’s pavilions and exhibit galleries throughout the evening.

Event Schedule

  • VIP CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION
    6:00 p.m.

    Cocktail Reception | Hors d’Oeuvres | Exclusive Entertainment: Victory Swing Orchestra

    All sponsors will receive early event entry, reserved seating, and exclusive access to a VIP Champagne Reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, private full bar, and entertainment.
  • VICTORY BALL
    7:00 p.m.

    The National WWII Museum’s American Sector Restaurant & Bar, BB’s Stage Door Canteen, and US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center

    Open Bars | Music & Dancing | Access to Museum Galleries

    Culinary Creations by The American Sector Restaurant & Bar

    If you require a seat, we strongly recommend you purchase a Sponsor Level Package that includes reserved seating. Though there will be ample general seating throughout the event, it is available on a first-come, first-served basis for general ticket purchases.
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Swingaroux

    The Victory Swing Orchestra

    The Yat Pack

  • ATTIRE

    Service Uniform, Cocktail Attire, or 1940s Dress Encouraged

    Receive 20% off your purchase of 1940s-inspired clothing and accessories at the Museum’s Corner Boutique with proof of ticket purchase! Located at the corner of Andrew Higgins Drive and Magazine Street.

  • SALUTE TO VETERANS AND SERVICEMEMBERS
    8:15 p.m.

    Featuring remarks by Honorary Chairman Major General James E. Livingston (Medal of Honor Recipient)

    Read Biography

    Major General James E. Livingston, MOH, USMC (Ret)

    MAJOR GENERAL JAMES EVERETTE LIVINGSTON, MOH, USMC (Ret)

    Major General James E. Livingston retired on September 1, 1995 following over 33 continuous years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. His last assignment was the Commander of the Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans, Louisiana.

    He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1962 following graduation from Auburn University. Early assignments included service as a Platoon Commander, Intelligence Officer, and as a Recruit Training Regiment Series Commander.He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1962 following graduation from Auburn University. Early assignments included service as a Platoon Commander, Intelligence Officer, and as a Recruit Training Regiment Series Commander.

    Promoted to Captain in June 1966, General Livingston served as the Commanding Officer of the Marine detachment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, before joining the 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced) in the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967.

    On May 2, 1968, while serving as the Commanding Officer, Company E, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, he distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy forces and received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

    After his second tour in Vietnam, General Livingston served as an instructor at the Army’s Infantry School, Director of Division Schools for the 1st Marine Division, and, later, as the S-3 for 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. In March 1975, he returned to Vietnam and served as the Operations Officer for the Vietnam evacuation operations which included Operation “Frequent Wind”, the evacuation of Saigon.

    He then commanded the Marine Barracks, United Kingdom, London, and served as the Commanding Officer, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, then as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. During this period, he earned a master’s degree in Management from Webster University. General Livingston then served with the 2d Marine Division and commanded the 6th Marines before joining the Joint U. S. Assistance Group in the Republic of the Philippines.

    Following advancement to Brigadier General on June 10, 1988, he served as Deputy Director for Operations at the National Military Command Center in Washington, D.C. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, General Livingston commanded the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, California, and developed the Desert Warfare Training Program. After commanding the Marine Expeditionary Brigade, he was advanced to Major General on July 8, 1991 and assumed command of the 4th Marine Division (Reinforced). In July 1992 he assumed command of the newly created Marine Reserve Force, and continued through its reorganization in October 1994 with its new title, Marine Forces Reserve.

    Major General Livingston is a native of Towns, Georgia. He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Air War College. His decorations include the Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; Bronze Star Medal, with Combat “V”; Purple Heart, Third Award; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal, Second Award; Navy Commendation Medal, with Combat “V”; Combat Action ribbon, Second Award; and various other service and foreign decorations. He is also a qualified military parachutist. In 2018 he was awarded South Carolina’s highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto, by Gov. Henry McMaster.

    MajGen Livingston retired from the Marine Corps in 1995. He is Chairman Emeritus and an Honorary Board Member of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, and Advisory Board Chairman of the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum in Mount Pleasant, SC. He also serves as a founding Board Member of the Beacon Community Bank in Charleston, South Carolina and was recently awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution’s highest award for patriotism, leadership, and service, the DAR Medal of Honor.

    Major General Livingston is married to the former Sara Craft, a graduate of the University of South Carolina. They have two daughters, Kimberly and Melissa. Kimberly, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Medical University of South Carolina is a MOHS Surgeon in a private practice. Melissa is a graduate of Tulane University, New Orleans, and holds a Master in Public Administration degree from Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

Don’t forget to visit the Museum on Thursday, November 11, 2021, for our annual Veterans Day celebration. Join us as we honor all of our nation’s servicemen and women. The ceremony and related programming is free and open to the public and all active-duty military and veterans are invited to attend. Free admission for all veterans to Museum exhibit galleries.

2021 Victory Ball Committee

Ticket Levels

A general ticket purchase for Victory Ball includes event entry at 7:00 p.m. with food, beverages, and entertainment as well as access to the Museum’s pavilions and exhibit galleries throughout the evening.

Open seating for general admission is available throughout campus during the event on a first-come, first-served basis.

SPONSOR EXCLUSIVE RECOGNITION BENEFITS

Victory Ball Sponsors receive reserved seating and early event entry at 6:00 p.m. for a champagne reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres and a private full bar for the first hour of the event.

Sponsors receive recognition on all printed materials, including event invitation, event web page, and day-of-event signage.

All Victory Ball sponsorships underwrite complimentary and discounted tickets for local veterans to attend Victory Ball.

Sponsor List

THANKS TO OUR 2021 SPONSORS

Buy Tickets

To honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country, special admission prices are offered to veterans and active-duty servicemembers. Proceeds from Victory Ball will support ongoing preservation efforts and public programming at The National WWII Museum.



For more information on the 2021 Victory Ball, please contact us at 504-528-1944 x 508 or fundraisingevents@nationalww2museum.org.

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Under current City of New Orleans guidelines, Victory Ball attendees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon arrival or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event. Masks will be required when not eating or drinking.