William Edward Taylor
Major, U.S. Army

William Edward Taylor was born on 6 June 1936 in Paterson, NJ, the son of Alfred and Ruth E. Taylor. Taylor enlisted in the U.S. Army on 12 August 1958 in Miami, FL.

In August 1966, then-Captain William Edward Taylor was serving with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in South Vietnam.

On 14-15 August, CPT Taylor was commanding officer of Company B during a search and destroy operation in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon entering the operational area, the lead platoon became pinned down after making contact with a large Viet Cong force. CPT Taylor, moving at the head of the 2nd Platoon, constantly exposed himself to hostile machine gun and sniper fire to direct the movement of his company to the Viet Cong flank. When the artillery forward observer was wounded, CPT Taylor moved to an advanced position and directed aerial rocket artillery and tactical air strikes. These strikes were called to within 20 meters of the friendly forward elements and caused the Viet Cong to break contact. When darkness fell, CPT Taylor personally supervised the evacuation of the dead and wounded. The following morning, as Company B was preparing to continue its mission, it was again attacked by the Viet Cong using mortar fire. CPT Taylor refused to leave his observation post and continued directing his defense perimeter. Although wounded by shrapnel, he continued issuing orders and exercising control of his unit until he was mortally wounded by an incoming mortar round. CPT Taylor's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Taylor received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Major.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) William Edward Taylor (ASN: 0-84004), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Captain Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 and 15 August 1966 while serving as commanding officer during a company search and destroy operation in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon entering the operational area, the lead platoon became pinned down after making contact with a large Viet Cong force. Captain Taylor, moving at the head of the second platoon, exposed himself to intense hostile machine gun and sniper fire to direct the movement of his company. He repeatedly braved hostile fire while maneuvering his company to the Viet Cong flank. When the artillery forward observer was wounded, Captain Taylor moved to an advanced position and directed aerial rocket artillery and tactical air strikes. These strikes were called to within twenty meters of the friendly forward elements and caused the Viet Cong to break contact. When darkness fell, Captain Taylor personally supervised the evacuation of the dead and wounded. The following morning, as the company was preparing to continue its mission, it was again attacked by the Viet Cong employing mortar fire. Captain Taylor, with complete disregard for his safety while receiving intense hostile fire, refused to leave his observation post and continued to direct the defense of his perimeter. Although wounded by shrapnel, he continued to issue orders and exercise control of his unit until he was mortally wounded by an incoming mortar round. Captain Taylor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5967 (1966)

Honors

The name William E Taylor is located on Panel 10E Line 11 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Major William Edward Taylor is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 3, Site 2404-B.