The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David W. Taylor (ASN: 0-5353573), United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 3 June 1969, while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company C, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On that date, a Light Observation Helicopter was shot down by intense hostile fire near Thach Dong. Gunships were dispatched to the area to thwart the advance of an enemy force that was attempting to reach the downed crewmen. In addition, Lieutenant Taylor was assigned to take a six-man team into the area to secure the wreckage and protect the crew members. Immediately upon being dropped into the area, the rescue team came under heavy volumes of enemy small arms and grenade fire. After deploying his men, Lieutenant Taylor made a dash for the helicopter crew. As he approached them, he sustained fragmentation wounds, but ignored the painful injuries and continued toward his comrades. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Taylor searched the entire area and found one survivor. At this time, he received an additional wound, but succeeded in dragging the downed crewman to a nearby irrigation ditch where the remainder of the rescue team had been deployed. Lieutenant Taylor then rallied his men and directed retaliatory fire on the insurgents until reinforcements arrived. His courageous actions were directly responsible for saving the life of the downed crew member and instrumental in the overall success of the mission. First Lieutenant Taylor’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.