The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Specialist Fourth Class John L, Taylor, Jr. (ASN: US-52852432), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 8 May 1968 while on duty with his platoon in the 17th Engineer Battalion motor pool, Fort Hood, Texas. The throttle and transmission linkage on one of the platoon’s armored vehicle launched bridges malfunctioned, resulting in a driverless runaway of the vehicle into the company vehicle parked lanes. Without hesitation, Specialist Taylor gave chase to the armored vehicle-launched bridge. Completely disregarding his own safety, he attempted to board it but was prevented from doing so when it collided with a parked bridge-truck. The armored vehicle-launched bridge then crossed into an adjacent Park Lane and ran onto and over the beds of two flatbed trailers. As it crossed over the bed of the first trailer, Specialist Taylor, displaying great personal courage, managed to leap aboard the deck of the armored vehicle-launched bridge. However, as it crossed onto the bed of the second trailer, the armored vehicle-launched bridge careened and tilted violently, and he was thrown from the vehicle. The armored vehicle-launched bridge then crossed into a third park lane. As it did, the right track assembly blocked, causing the vehicle to swing wildly in a tight circle. Specialist Taylor, again at great personal risk, jumped onto the rear deck and managed to reach the controls and shut down the vehicle. His quick and decisive action prevented not only further costly damage to other vehicles in the path of the armored vehicle-launched bridge but also possibly injury to the many personnel working in the motor pool area. The outstanding personal courage, initiative and stamina of Specialist Taylor reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.