Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Vietnam War - U.S. Army
James Allen Taylor
- Rank: First Lieutenant (rank at time of presentation: Captain; highest rank: Major)
- Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
- Unit/Command:
Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry,
Americal Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: November 9, 1967
- Medal of Honor Action Place: west of Que Son, Republic of Vietnam
Capt. Taylor, Armor, was serving as executive officer of Troop B, 1st Squadron. His troop was engaged in an attack on a fortified position west of Que Son when it came under intense enemy recoilless-rifle, mortar, and automatic-weapons fire from an enemy strong point located immediately to its front. One armored cavalry assault vehicle was hit immediately by recoilless-rifle fire and all five crewmembers were wounded. Aware that the stricken vehicle was in grave danger of exploding, Capt. Taylor rushed forward and personally extracted the wounded to safety despite the hail of enemy fire and exploding ammunition. Within minutes a second armored cavalry assault vehicle was hit by multiple recoilless-rifle rounds. Despite the continuing intense enemy fire, Capt. Taylor moved forward on foot to rescue the wounded men from the burning vehicle and personally removed all the crewmen to the safety of a nearby dike. Moments later the vehicle exploded. As he was returning to his vehicle, a bursting mortar round painfully wounded Capt. Taylor yet he valiantly returned to his vehicle to relocate the medical evacuation zone to an area closer to the front lines. As he was moving his vehicle, it came under machine- gun fire from an enemy position not 50 yards away. Capt. Taylor engaged the position with his machine gun, killing the three-man crew. Upon arrival at the new evacuation site, still another vehicle was struck. Once again Capt. Taylor rushed forward and pulled the wounded from the vehicle, loaded them aboard his vehicle, and returned them safely to the evacuation site. His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire troop, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military profession and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
- Accredited to: San Francisco, San Francisco County, California
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: November 19, 1968
The White House, presented by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson
- Born: December 31, 1937, Arcata, Humboldt County, CA, United States