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 First Lieutenant (Armor) David Earl Taylor (ASN: 0-5244923), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop A, 3d Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation brigade in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 October 1968. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as an aerial scout pilot during a combat operation in Quan Ben Tranh Province. During a vicious contact with an enemy force, First Lieutenant Taylor’s attention became focused on an enemy machine gun firing from a heavily-fortified fighting bunker. He skillfully maneuvered his OH-6A helicopter over the backside of the enemy’s position to enable his observer to place a fragmentation grenade through the firing aperture. After an unsuccessful attempt, he then hovered around to the front of the bunker, directly over and in line with the machine gun fire. Through his skill and courage while under fire, his observer was able to destroy the enemy’s position. When his ship was hit with the impact of a claymore mine, it went out of control and crashed into the swollen, swiftly moving Vam Co Tay River. Even though battling for his own life, First Lieutenant Taylor’s only thought was for the safety of his observer, who could not swim. With the enemy small arms fire surrounding them. His observer was ripped from his grasp by the river’s superior strength. Somewhat exhausted and unnerved from a head injury that also occurred in the incident, First Lieutenant Taylor was in great danger of drowning. Struggling desperately against the mighty river, his life was saved when he was able to grasp a rope thrown from the command and control helicopter. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Armor)Batallion:
3d SquadronRegiment:
17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation BrigadeAction Date:
September 14, 1968
Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade, General Orders No. 900 (February 24, 1969The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Armor) David Earl Taylor (ASN: 0-5244923), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 14 September 1968. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as a pilot of an HO-6A scout helicopter. While on a reconnaissance of an area believed to contain enemy forces, he located six enemy attempting to evade friendly units. The enemy immediately opened fire. First Lieutenant Taylor escaped the fire and after reporting their position, again returned to the contact area where he again located the enemy and immediately engaged them, killing three. Although he had completely exhausted his ammunition, he began tracking the remainder of the enemy. After several passes, he located another Viet Cong and swiftly maneuvered his helicopter to place his observer in a favorable position to eliminate the enemy with small arms fire. Shortly thereafter, he located another enemy who was so demoralized that he offered no resistance and after forcing him into an open rice paddy, First Lieutenant Taylor landed his aircraft and took the enemy as a prisoner of war. He was responsible for the valuable information gained from the enemy prisoner as well as the death of four enemy soldiers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Armor)Batallion:
3d SquadronRegiment:
17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation BrigadeAction Date:
November 30, 1968
Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade, General Orders No. 904 (February 24, 1969)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 pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Armor) David Earl Taylor (ASN: 0-5244923), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Troop A, 3d Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 30 November 1968. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as an air cavalry scout section leader during a combat operation. He was scouting an area he felt to be a likely enemy stronghold, eventually finding what appeared to be an enemy base camp. His spotted a group of five enemy soldiers with automatic weapons and without hesitation, engaged and killed them with his weapon system. First Lieutenant Taylor’s ship came under heavy fire from all sides, to which he reacted immediately with numerous gun passes. He also directed fire from the supporting unships overhead. With complete disregard for his personal safety, First Lieutenant Taylor continued to engage the enemy and direct supporting fire, enabling his unit to kill fifty-three enemy soldiers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Armor)Batallion:
3d SquadronRegiment:
17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation BrigadeAction Date:
January 20, 1969
Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade, General Orders No. 902 (February 24, 1969The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Armor) David Earl Taylor (ASN: 0-5244923), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 20 January 1969. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while flying command and control of a hunter-killer team in an OH-6A scout ship. While flying low level, he observed a large force of well armed enemy soldiers and immediately engaged the force with his mini-gun. On initial contact, his ship came under intense enemy fire and took several hits, some of which destroyed his radio capability. Without communication with his gunship cover, First Lieutenant Taylor continued to engage the enemy. During the engagement he was mortally wounded, causing the aircraft to crash leaving no survivors. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.