By Direction
of the
President of the United States
The
Distinguished Service Cross
Is Awarded
To
James T. Taylor Jr.
Rank and Unit: Sergeant First
Class, Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st
Special Forces
Date and Place: 9 June 1965
to 10 June 1965, Republic of Vietnam
Reason: For extraordinary
heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with
an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant First Class
Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 9
June 1965 to 10 June 1965 while serving a medical specialist for the
Special Forces camp at Dong Xoai. At the onset of a vicious attack
by an estimated Viet Cong regiment, Sergeant Taylor dashed into the
deadly fire in search of casualties. He found his seriously
wounded commander crawling to a firing position, carried him the rest of
the way, and gave him treatment that saved his life. Sergeant
Taylor then moved among their deteriorating defensive positions, calming
the men, controlling their fire, and treating the wounded. To
reestablish communications with the executive officer, he ran and
crawled 300 meters through explosions and rifle fire. Finding the
officer without a radio, he returned to his compound, escorted an
operator to the isolated area, and again returned to his defensive
duties. Each time Sergeant Taylor risked death while passing
through the frenzied fire of both hostile and friendly lines. When
perimeter positions became untenable, he helped carry his commander 300
meters to the headquarters building, the final strongpoint.
Throughout the day, ignoring his own injuries, he alternately treated
wounded men and fought off attacks to within 20 meters of the
building. Sergeant Taylor's inspired leadership enabled the force
to hold back an overwhelming Viet Cong siege for fourteen hours.
Sergeant Taylor's stamina and courage as a medic and a fighter preserved
the defensive strength of the beleaguered unit. His 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.
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