The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Barney Buck Taylor, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 23 June 1944. Although still suffering from wounds sustained during enemy action one week previously, Captain Taylor volunteered to lead a night patrol into hostile territory to ascertain the strength and disposition of the heavily fortified enemy main line of resistance. Captain Taylor and the two enlisted men accompanying him were subjected to intense machine gun fire. Undeterred, Captain Taylor and his companions crawled under the murderous fire to within ten yards of an enemy emplacement. Though severely shaken by six hostile grenades, he courageously moved further into the hostile sector and prepared a map of mortar and artillery positions and the terrain features of the region. When the patrol returned to friendly lines the following day the accurate data which they had obtained was employed to great advantage in planning a subsequent action which successfully reduced the fortifications and penetrated the enemy defenses. Captain Taylor’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.