President Biden will award the Medal of Honor for combat heroism to U.S. Army Capt. Larry Taylor, who in 1968 Vietnam rescued four soldiers after a plan to save them was scrubbed because it was thought to have almost no chance of success.
The Medal of Honor is the military’s highest honor and will be awarded to Mr. Taylor on Sept. 5, the White House said Friday. Of the 40 million who have served in the Army, only 3,500 soldiers have received the Medal of Honor.
“Taylor’s conspicuous gallantry, his profound concern for his fellow soldiers, and his intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army,” the White House said in a statement.
Capt. Taylor has received other military decorations over the years, including: the Distinguished Military Service Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and the Silver Star Award.
On the night of June 18, 1968, Capt. Taylor rescued a four-man reconnaissance patrol using his two-man Cobra helicopter, a feat that had never been accomplished before, according to U.S. Army records.
Capt. Taylor was leading a two-helicopter team deployed to support the reconnaissance patrol that had been surrounded by enemy forces, making an attack run for 45 minutes.
As both helicopters were running out of ammunition and enemy forces were closing in, Capt. Taylor learned that a plan to rescue the soldiers had been canceled because senior officers thought it had little chance of success.
Running low on fuel and ammunition, Capt. Taylor decided to extract the team himself using his two-man Cobra helicopter.
Capt. Taylor directed his wingman to fire his remaining rounds along the patrol team’s eastern flank while he fired along its western flank using his Cobra’s landing lights to draw the enemy’s attention. While they were firing their ammunition, the patrol team headed toward an extraction point picked by Capt. Taylor.
Under heavy enemy fire, Capt. Taylor landed his Cobra helicopter. The patrol team climbed aboard, grabbing onto rocket-pods and skids as the pilot ferried them to a safe location.
Capt. Taylor was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and discharged from active duty at the rank of captain in 1970.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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