MOH for Vietnam Cobra Pilot
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MOH for Vietnam Cobra Pilot
Biden to award Medal to Honor to Vietnam War helicopter pilot
By UPI StaffSEPT. 1, 2023 / 5:00 PM
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Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The White House on Friday said President Joe Biden will award the Medal of Honor to Army Capt. Larry L. Taylor for his "conspicuous gallantry" in protecting U.S. troops in Vietnam more than half a century ago.
The Medal of Honor is awarded to service members of the U.S. armed forces who distinguish themselves in warfare at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty.Previously, Taylor had been honored with both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his actions as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.
Taylor was honorably released from active duty in 1970 after attaining the rank of captain and from the U.S. Army Reserve 1973.
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According to a statement released from the White House on Friday, Taylor distinguished himself with his actions in June 1968, during which he served as lieutenant in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot.
While on a mission near Ap Go Cong in the Republic of Vietnam that year, Taylor and his wingman assisted a long-range reconnaissance patrol of four U.S. soldiers who had been surrounded by enemy forces. Braving ground fire, Taylor and his wingman strafed the enemy with guns and rockets from their Cobra helicopters for more than 45 minutes and despite running low on ammunition.
Acting decisively after learning a planned rescue helicopter would not make it to the soldiers in time, Taylor and his wingman fired on forces and used their small 2-man helicopter to land under fire and pick up the U.S. soldiers, who climbed onto the aircraft's landing skids and held onto its rocket pods while Taylor flew the soldiers to safety.At the time, the rescue was a feat that had never been accomplished or even attempted.
"Taylor's conspicuous gallantry, his profound concern for his fellow soldiers, and his intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army," the White House said in a statement announcing the honor, which Biden will bestow next Tuesday at the White House.
Taylor was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot from August 1967 to August 1968.
The following 9 users liked this post by havoc:
Salute!
Do not overlook Mike Novosel.
Mike was awarded the MoH for a really exciting mission as a Dustoff helo as he resued a coupla dozen of his fellow grunts - the website for the MoH folks has his citation and maybe more. It is amazing.
During the U.S. "woke" and "cancel" efforts, Fort Rucker was named in his honor. Maybe a contributor here went thru training there.
About time to honor those rotorheads, and the medical and rescue guys truly lived up to their saying, "that others may live".
Gums recalls...
Do not overlook Mike Novosel.
Mike was awarded the MoH for a really exciting mission as a Dustoff helo as he resued a coupla dozen of his fellow grunts - the website for the MoH folks has his citation and maybe more. It is amazing.
During the U.S. "woke" and "cancel" efforts, Fort Rucker was named in his honor. Maybe a contributor here went thru training there.
About time to honor those rotorheads, and the medical and rescue guys truly lived up to their saying, "that others may live".
Gums recalls...
Gums
Why did it take 50 years for the award?
Why did it take 50 years for the award?
A good question, and in the absence of fresh information about the acts of gallantry coming to light, hard to distance it from the suspicion of self serving pandering to the electorate.
Not in any way to detract from the underlying merit of the award, and better late than never.
Not in any way to detract from the underlying merit of the award, and better late than never.
there is a fairly continuous process of Service Cross and Silver Stars being re-awarded as MoH. Typically there is a large packet of evidence that is required, and a disinterested officialdom to overcome, to “meet the standard”.
Not something that happens in the UK I think
You have to watch the presentation ceremony, Biden wanders off without saying anything leaving a bemused audience behind. I guess he didn’t want to be late for Bingo night.
Better late than never for the Cobra pilot. (With balls that big, how does he walk?)
*Hand Salute* for Captain Taylor.
*Hand Salute* for Captain Taylor.
Fewer large scale campaigns I suggest! I get the impression that the honours awarded in the ME for UK were probably proportionate. I have two colleagues who were awarded the MC and one the CGC (as well) , so not exactly unrecognised.
Last edited by 212man; 6th Sep 2023 at 21:08.
The UK has a had a five year limit on the award of gallantry medals since just after WWII, and this also applies in Canada and I presume in Australia and New Zealand. An ongoing campaign, fronted by former (Canadian) CDS Gen Rick Hillier, to upgrade a Star of Military Valour to the VC for Afghanistan veteran Jess Larochelle SMV, fell foul of it. He (JL) died last Wednesday.
For an upgrade to the MoH the original award is reinvestigated and has to be rejustified before being considered for upgrading. There is apparently no time limit, President Obama approved one for a civil war soldier 151 years after the event. There have been a number of recent awards for those whose qualifying actions were not recognized at the time due to obvious racial prejudice e.g they denied the award because they were black or jewish.
For an upgrade to the MoH the original award is reinvestigated and has to be rejustified before being considered for upgrading. There is apparently no time limit, President Obama approved one for a civil war soldier 151 years after the event. There have been a number of recent awards for those whose qualifying actions were not recognized at the time due to obvious racial prejudice e.g they denied the award because they were black or jewish.
Many thanks for the explanation.
While it certainly sounds like Capt. Taylor's actions were worthy of a MoH, I still can't help but think that there is a big load of politics involved in the timing.
