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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ronald Scott Taylor (ASN: 0-5237610), 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 Company C, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 January 1968 as acting executive officer of his company during a mission in the Que Son Valley. His unit became engaged in heavy fighting with a reinforced North Vietnamese battalion. As the battle developed, Lieutenant Taylor, and an element of fifty men became surrounded by the hostile forces. He immediately made two attempts to break the enemy encirclement, but both were driven back. Lieutenant Taylor then ordered his men, twenty of whom were already wounded, into a hasty defensive perimeter. Constantly exposing himself to the continuing enemy fusillade, he moved from position to position as he called for and adjusted a ring of friendly artillery fire around the location of his troops. The determined enemy repeatedly assaulted the defenders, attempting to overrun them. Each attack was successfully repulsed by Lieutenant Taylor’s skillful adjustment of coordinated artillery barrages and the small arms and automatic weapons fire of his men. For more than twenty six hours he successfully directed the defense of the position inflicting heavy casualties on the North Vietnamese foe. First Lieutenant 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.