Photo By Spc. Dawson Smith | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Niave F. Knell, the deputy commanding general support of the 1st...... read more read more
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division mourned the loss of U.S. Army Capt. Larry L. Taylor, a Medal of Honor recipient and a veteran of the 1st Inf. Div., at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Feb. 7, 2024.
“Larry Taylor fought so we could live quiet, protected and safe lives,” said Dave Hill, a veteran of the 1st Inf. Div. “Where do we get such men?”
Military service had always been highly-valued in the Taylor family; his great-great-grandfather, father and uncles all served in the military. Due to Taylor’s deep admiration for serving his country, he was commissioned through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Tennessee.
He volunteered as an armor officer then transitioned into Army aviation after he earned qualification through the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters, Texas, and Fort Rucker, Alabama. Taylor had the opportunity to fly some of the Army’s first AH-1G Cobra attack helicopters.
With tension rising between Vietnam and the U.S. in August of 1967, Taylor deployed to Vietnam to serve with Troop D (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Inf. Div. at Bien Hoa Air Base. There, he either flew reconnaissance missions, involving two cobra attack helicopters and two scout helicopters to locate any potential threat; or scrambles: when the horn goes off, you have two minutes to get the helicopter in the air and en route to the target.
On June 18, 1968, at approximately 2100, a horn sounded and the pilots raced to get their helicopters en route to a rice paddy near a village south of Ap Go Cong Du’o’ng Province of the Republic of Vietnam. After learning that the coordinates led to a four-man long-range reconnaissance patrol team whom the enemy had outnumbered and surrounded, Taylor had to think fast. Taylor exhausted his remaining ammunition to protect the Soldiers, and shut off the helicopter lights to conceal himself from the enemy. He instructed a Soldier to throw his last four claymore mines so everyone could run to the helicopter. The pilot of a helicopter designed for only two, rescued four additional people on its landing gear: a feat never attempted before.
“I knew that if I didn’t go down and get them, they wouldn’t make it,” recounted Taylor. “I was just doing my job.”
Having flown in 1,200 combat missions, earning 61 combat decorations and embarking on a daring rescue mission during the Vietnam War, Taylor earned a Silver Star for his actions. Taylor’s bravery and valor enabled families to be reunited, and his legacy lives on in the 1st Inf. Div. as an example for other Soldiers to strive for.
On September 5, 2023, Taylor’s Silver Star was upgraded to the nation’s highest honor - the Medal of Honor. His life, service and indelible leadership are beacons of inspiration, urging everyone in the Big Red One to strive for excellence and carry forth his legacy.
| Date Taken: | 02.07.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2024 12:26 |
| Story ID: | 464724 |
| Location: | CHATTANOOGA, TN, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 1st Infantry Division Soldiers Honored a Medal of Honor Recipient, by SPC Dawson Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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