The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard M. Taylor (MCSN: 0-27073), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company C, First Tank Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 21 September 1950. Receiving word that an infantry company had been cut off, pinned down and thereby prevented from communicating with adjacent or parent units in order to tie in the defensive sectors for the night, Captain Taylor immediately organized a tank platoon and hurried to the scene of action. Although the infantrymen were subjected to an intense attack by hostile forces employing automatic weapons, mortars and small arms from ranges as close as two hundred yards, he bravely exposed himself to the enemy fire to leave his tank and deliver radio batteries to the company commander. Returning to his vehicle, he skillfully directed his platoon in neutralizing the hostile fire which enabled the infantry company to move to more advantageous terrain under the covering fire of his tanks. By his marked courage, expert tactical ability and unswerving devotion to duty, Captain Taylor served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.