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.

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.