Recognizing the Valiant Service of Captain Larry Taylor

Floor Speech

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Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the valiant service of Captain Larry Taylor and his induction into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame. Although no longer with us, having sadly passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024, Captain Taylor's legacy lives on through the lives he touched.

Captain Taylor faithfully followed the family tradition of military service. His family's service in both World War I and World War II exposed Captain Taylor to the sacrifices our brave service men and women must endure to protect the homeland. While attending the University of Tennessee, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon his graduation in 1966. He qualified as an Army Aviator assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, where he completed over 2000 combat missions as a helicopter pilot.

One particularly dangerous mission illustrated the deep reservoir of bravery that was a hallmark of Captain Taylor's career. In 1968, while deployed in Vietnam, Captain Taylor came to the aid of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol under immense enemy fire, evacuating them from far behind enemy lines in the dead of night. Captain Taylor was only ordered to lend fire support to the patrol; however, after expending his entire stock of 152 rockets and 16,000 minigun rounds, it was clear the patrol had no hope of escape. Captain Taylor, realizing immediate air evacuation was the patrol's only hope, disobeyed direct orders to fall back and instead landed in the dark jungle to extract the patrol himself. His Cobra attack helicopter flew the entire patrol--clinging to the rocket pods and helicopter skids--to safety.

From my own time as a flight surgeon supporting U.S. Army Rangers, I am intimately aware of the pressures placed upon helicopter support squadrons. However, Captain Taylor's act of bravery over 50 years ago remains a valiant icon to Army aviators. In September of 2023, Captain Taylor was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his act of heroism. Yet, when Captain Taylor was informed by the President of the United States that he was to receive the Medal of Honor, the Captain humbly replied, ``I thought you had to do something to receive a Medal of Honor.''

After completing his service, Captain Taylor returned to his home state of Tennessee where he ran a sheet metal company in Chattanooga. He was deeply involved as a veteran in his community and generously donated to organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, and the Railroad Museum. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Toni, their two sons, Larry and Grady, and five grandchildren.

Captain Taylor's life is a testament to duty and excellence in action, and it is with the greatest honor and respect that I commend his induction as part of the newest class of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame and humbly remember his bravery.

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