The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Lawrence C. Taylor (MCSN: 0-7513), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-THREE (VMF-223), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 24 August 1942. Prevented by a faulty engine from taking off with his flight to attack a hostile force of greatly superior strength, Second Lieutenant Taylor skillfully effected hasty repairs and at the first opportunity took off alone to join his comrades in the action. Although it was his first combat flight and he was entirely unfamiliar with the area, his superb airmanship and dauntless courage under extremely adverse conditions enabled him to destroy one heavy bomber before his own plane was shot down. Second Lieutenant Taylor’s exemplary conduct and unswerving devotion to duty were an inspiration to the members of his squadron and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.