The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 82d Airborne Division, in action on 8 September 1943, in the vicinity of Italy. On 8 September 1943, General Taylor left *** and was met off *** by an **** which took him to ****, when he traveled through hostile territory to the *** of *** for the fulfillment of his mission. General Taylor, in volunteering for the mission, did so with complete disregard of the imminent danger involved and without thought of personal safety. The gallantry displayed by General Taylor in the successful completion of his hazardous mission is worthy of emulation. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General Taylor, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
1944 – 1945
War Department, General Orders No. 36 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, from 1944 to 1945.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major General [then Brigadier General]Division:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
June 6, 1944
Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General [then Brigadier General] Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Division Commander of the 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Landing with his parachute unit in enemy territory and in the face of intense enemy fire, Major General Taylor quickly organized the control elements of the Division Headquarters. Perceiving that the important causeway at Carentan could not be taken by the unit assigned that mission, General Taylor personally led elements of the Division Headquarters and other special troops in an attack on the causeway. General Taylor led the successful assault and seized the causeway thereby clearing the way for the advance of the sea borne units. The courage and outstanding leadership displayed by General Taylor exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 71 (December 29, 1955)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility February 1953 to 5 June 1955.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
September 17 – 19, 1944
Headquarters, XVIII Corps (Airborne), General Orders No. 10 (December 9, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division. Landing with the leading parachute elements of his Division in the liberation of Holland in the face of enemy fire, he assembled his staff and established the Division Command Post in the vicinity of Zen, Holland, on 17 September 1944. On the night of 19 September 1944, a strong force of enemy infantry and tanks attacked the town of Zen in an effort to capture or destroy the bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal, a vital point in the highway along which the British *** Corps was passing north to contact other forces at Arnham. Skillfully employing the small force of clerks, Signal Corps personnel and Military Police available, he personally led in the defense of the bridge and the Division Command Post. Upon the arrival of a small force of 57-mm. anti-tank guns, he personally directed their employment against the enemy armor and led in the successful defense of the area. His courage and inspiring leadership were in accordance with the military traditions of the United States.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
GeneralDivision:
United States ArmyAction Date:
June 30, 1955 – June 30, 1959
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 28 (1959)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 30 June 1955 to 30 June 1959.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
GeneralDivision:
Joint Chiefs of StaffAction Date:
October 1962 – July 1964
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 28 (August 24, 1964)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the period from October 1962 through July 1964.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
1944 – 1945
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, from 1944 to 1945.