President Biden is set to award the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration for valor, to retired Capt. Larry Taylor, an Army helicopter pilot who demonstrated immense bravery during the Vietnam War. Taylor risked his life by flying into heavy enemy fire to save four members of a reconnaissance team who were on the verge of being overrun. This specific rescue mission, which took place in June 1968, involved a feat that had never been attempted before, making it truly extraordinary.
Taylor, who served in Vietnam for a year, flew countless combat missions in UH-1 “Huey” helicopters and Cobra helicopters. Despite the intense nature of his work, he proudly stated that he never lost a single man. Speaking to The Associated Press, Taylor humbly remarked that he did whatever was necessary to rescue and save the lives of those in need.
The White House has announced that President Biden will present Capt. Larry Taylor with the Medal of Honor on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. This prestigious award recognizes Taylor’s conspicuous gallantry and bravery on the night of June 18, 1968. Initially, the rescue mission was deemed impossible due to the heavy enemy fire and the impending danger posed to the patrol team. However, Taylor defied all odds and risked everything to execute the mission successfully.
The events of that fateful night unfolded when the Army discovered that a long-range reconnaissance patrol near the Saigon River was under attack by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. As the leader of a helicopter light-fire team, Taylor piloted his Cobra attack helicopter to the extraction site. Both helicopters engaged the enemy with mini-guns and rockets, braving intense ground fire for 45 minutes.
Despite being low on ammunition, Taylor received a distressing order to abort the rescue mission due to its apparent futility. However, Taylor took matters into his own hands. He made the unprecedented decision to extract the team using his two-man Cobra helicopter. This daring maneuver had never been attempted before, but Taylor remained undeterred.
In an act of sheer courage, Taylor and his crew expended their last rounds of ammunition while creating a diversion to distract the enemy forces. Simultaneously, the patrol team clung to the exterior of the helicopter during the extraction process. Taylor directed his wingman to provide cover fire while he used his Cobra’s landing lights to divert the enemy’s attention. As the patrol team headed towards a designated extraction point, Taylor landed his Cobra under heavy enemy fire, showing complete disregard for his own safety. The team members managed to climb aboard the helicopter, holding onto rocket pods and skids. Taylor then carried them to safety before returning to the ground.
Within a mere 10 seconds, Taylor successfully evacuated his crew and all four members of the patrol team to safety. Taylor vividly recalls the urgency of the situation, stating that failure was not an option. He knew he had to find a way to save them, and his quick thinking and decisive action undoubtedly prevented a tragic outcome.
One of the members of the patrol team, David Hill, praised Taylor’s resourcefulness and ability to think outside the box. The Army has acknowledged that what Taylor accomplished that night had never been attempted before, making his actions truly remarkable.
Retired Capt. Larry Taylor, originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, left Vietnam in August 1968. He eventually attained the rank of captain before being discharged from the Army Reserve in October 1973. Along with the Medal of Honor, Taylor has been awarded numerous other combat decorations, including the Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.
After waiting nearly six years, Taylor’s supporters successfully campaigned for him to be awarded the Medal of Honor, culminating in President Biden personally notifying him of the honor. Now residing in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, with his wife Toni, Taylor’s incredible bravery and selflessness will be recognized in a ceremony at the White House.
(Source: AP)
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