The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced Monday afternoon that a recent Medal of Honor recipient has died.
Larry L. Taylor, 81, died Sunday at his home in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, according to a press release.
President Biden presented Taylor with the Medal of Honor at the White House on September 5, 2023, for his actions near Ap Ngo Cong Village in Binh Duong Providence, Vietnam.
In June 1968, Taylor was a lieutenant with a team of two Cobra helicopter gunships that responded to a call for emergency assistance by a four-man patrol team. Taylor and his wingman surrounded the patrol team and targeted the enemy by making multiple low-level flights under heavy enemy fire.
Biden to award Medal of Honor to Vietnam pilot for heroic rescue: ‘It’s never been accomplished, never even attempted.’
Medal of Honor recipient Retired Army Capt. Larry L. Taylor speaks during a ceremony at Conmie Hall at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, USA, September 6, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“With the gunship’s ammunition running low, Taylor continued to fire false artillery fire at low altitude to distract the enemy from the troops on the ground. Given that he was still encountering heavy fire, Taylor continued to fire on the patrol team. realized that the evacuation route he had planned was not feasible,” a release from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society said. “Taylor then landed the helicopter 100 yards away, under heavy enemy fire, and intercepted the patrol team on the ground. The team boarded as best they could, including sitting on rocket pods and skids, and Taylor The patrol was able to evacuate everyone, thereby saving their lives. ”
During his year-long deployment in Vietnam, Taylor flew hundreds of combat missions in UH-1 “Huey” and Cobra helicopters, proudly telling the Associated Press, “We never lost a single person.” Ta.
Vietnam veteran’s dog tag found in rice field returned to family 57 years later: ‘It means the world’
Medal of Honor recipient Retired Army Capt. Larry L. Taylor speaks during a ceremony at Conmie Hall at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, USA, September 6, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
“It finally flew up behind them and sat on the ground,” he explained in an interview with The Associated Press. “They turned around and jumped on the plane. A couple were sitting on the skids. One was sitting on a rocket and the other, I don’t know where, hit the side of the ship twice. .We were meant to carry it—and we did!”
Larry Taylor spoke about his heroic actions while deployed to Vietnam in an interview with The Associated Press. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Taylor retired with the rank of captain. He is survived by his wife Toni and other family members. His funeral arrangements are pending.
Fox News’ Lawrence Richard and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
