(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Jarrod C. Taylor, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in combat action against enemy forces in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 14 May 2007, in Iraq. On that date, Specialist Taylor was part of truck convoy in a combat patrol in the Adhamiyah neighborhood of northeast Baghdad. Although the convoy was struck by one improvised explosive device, the damage was slight and the patrol continued. Later in the day a second IED struck the second truck in the convoy, causing severe damage, halting the convoy, and wounding the soldiers in that vehicle. Riding in the rear vehicle in the convoy, and despite a hail of enemy fire on the entire convoy, Specialist Taylor was among the first to reach the stricken vehicle in an attempt to help the wounded. Running to assist an injured man who was badly burned, suffering from shock, and who was without body armor, Specialist Taylor shielded him from enemy fire with his own body, and moved him to the safety of another vehicle for treatment and evacuation. Returning amid a hail of enemy fire to the burning truck, Specialist Taylor heroically risked his life a second time braving not only incoming rounds but risking injury from munitions and explosives “cooking off” in the stricken vehicle to reach another wounded soldier. Struck by shrapnel from an explosion inside the burning truck as he began to move one wounded man, he was knocked to the ground by the impact. Rather than retreating to cover, Specialist Taylor regained his footing, placed himself between the wounded man and the enemy forces, and pulled him out of harms way. Although suffering from burns to his hands from his efforts to save his comrades, Specialist Taylor refused treatment until the wounded men he recovered had been evacuated by helicopter. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.