The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) James R. Taylor (ASN: 0-87941), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Major Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 March 1969 while controlling a volunteer night raiding force operating in Dinh Tuong Province. Shortly after landing, the team encountered a large Viet Cong force using automatic weapons, small arms and rockets. During the initial exchange of fire, the radio-telephone operator was killed and the radio damaged. When communications were severed, Major Taylor immediately directed his command-and-control ship to set down in the area. In spite of the barrage that assailed the craft on landing, Major Taylor disembarked and ordered the ship away. He then attempted to join the team members, who at this time were almost surrounded by the enemy. By attacking a group of Viet Cong who were executing a flanking movement and killing two of them, he managed to reach the team. After strengthening the team’s defensive position, he turned his attention to calling in supportive fire from gun ships. Because the radio had been damaged he could transmit but not receive. Controlling the firing of the Cobra gun ships, therefore, seemed an impossible task. Nonetheless, he established an ingenious system of signals incorporating radio transmissions and flashing aircraft landing lights. In this manner he effectively directed and adjusted bombardment upon the enemy. Then, while braving hostile ground fire to assist in evacuating the wounded and dead, he killed five Viet Cong. Having determined a rendezvous point using the radio and aircraft light code, he guided the remainder of the raiding team to the pick-up zone. Major Taylor’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.