Retired Captain Larry L. Taylor, the most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor, has tragically passed away at the age of 81. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced his death on Monday, revealing that Taylor died at his home in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. President Biden had honored Taylor with the prestigious award on September 5, 2023, for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War.
In June of 1968, Taylor, then a 1st Lieutenant commander, led a team of two Cobra helicopter gunships in response to an urgent call for support from a four-man patrol team. Despite facing intense enemy fire, Taylor and his wingman bravely encircled the patrol team and flew multiple low-level passes to target the enemy. As their ammunition ran low, Taylor continued to make fake gun runs at low altitude, diverting the enemy’s attention from the men on the ground.
Recognizing that the patrol team’s planned evacuation route was unsafe due to heavy fire, Taylor landed his helicopter 100 yards away from them, still under intense enemy fire. With the team climbing onboard wherever they could, including rocket-pods and skids, Taylor successfully evacuated the entire patrol team, saving their lives.
During his deployment in Vietnam, Taylor flew numerous combat missions in UH-1 “Huey” helicopters and Cobra helicopters. Remarkably, he proudly stated in an interview with the Associated Press that his team never lost a man.
Taylor’s heroic actions and selflessness earned him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded for acts of valor. He will be remembered for his bravery and dedication to saving lives.
Larry Taylor is survived by his wife, Toni, and other family members. Funeral arrangements are currently pending.
