The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert W. Taylor (MCSN: 0-37866), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), during an observation flight carried out over enemy-held territory in Korea on 1 March 1951. A daring and aggressive airman, First Lieutenant Taylor observed two well-entrenched hostile positions located on a ridge controlling the route of march of friendly forces while flying his unarmed aircraft and, fully realizing the extreme dangers confronting the advancing units, contacted and briefed close support aircraft, then executed several low altitude dives over the area to pinpoint and mark the emplacements by dropping smoke grenades. Subjected to close range small arms and automatic weapons fire, he remained over the positions, directing and coordinating the air strikes with superb skill until the emplacements were neutralized. By his vigilance, dauntless perseverance and heroic devotion to duty throughout the intensive action, First Lieutenant Taylor contributed materially to the successful forward movement of the ground forces and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.