Born: December 31, 1937
Arcata, California
War: Vietnam
Rank: Captain (then 1st Lt.),
US Army, Troop B, 1st Cavalry, Americal Division (Armored Cavalry
Division)
Location of action: West of Que Son, Republic
of Vietnam
Date of action: November 9, 1967
Medal received from: President Lyndon Johnson, November 19, 1969
Official Citation:
Captain Taylor, Armor, was serving as Executive Officer of Troop
B, 1st Squadron. His troop was engaged in an attack on a fortified
position west of Que Son when it came under intense enemy recoilless
rifle, mortar, and automatic weapons fire from an enemy strong
point located immediately to its front. One armored cavalry
assault vehicle was hit immediately by recoilless rifle fire
and all five crewmembers were wounded. Aware that the stricken
vehicle was in grave danger of exploding, Captain Taylor rushed
forward and personally extracted the wounded to safety despite
the hail of enemy fire and exploding ammunition. Within minutes
a second armored cavalry assault vehicle was hit by multiple
recoilless rifle rounds. Despite the continuing intense enemy
fire, Captain Taylor moved forward on foot to rescue the wounded
men from the burning vehicle and personally removed all the
crewmen to the safety of a nearby dike. Moments later the vehicle
exploded.
As he was returning to his vehicle, a bursting mortar
round painfully wounded Captain Taylor, yet he valiantly returned
to his vehicle to relocate the medical evacuation landing zone
to an area closer to the front lines. As he was moving his vehicle,
it came under machinegun fire from an enemy position not 50
yards away. Captain Taylor engaged the position with his machinegun,
killing the 3-man crew.
Upon arrival at the new evacuation site,
still another vehicle was struck. Once again Captain Taylor rushed
forward and pulled the wounded from the vehicle, loaded them
aboard his vehicle, and returned them safely to the evacuation
site. His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration
to his entire troop, contributed significantly to the success
of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly
responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers.
His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military profession and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit, and the U.S. Army.
Of Note:
Taylor attended the following civilian and military schools:
Arcata Union High School, Arcata, CA
Tampa University, B.S. Criminology
3rd Armored Division NCO Academy, Germany
U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, GA
U.S. Army Armor School, Fort Knox, KY
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Taylor has received the following awards and decorations:
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Good Conduct Medal – 3rd award
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal (Vietnamese)
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James
Taylor