Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Larry Taylor dies at 81

Larry Taylor / Medal of Honor Heritage Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga community and family members are mourning the loss of Army veteran, Captain Larry Taylor. The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center announced his passing on Monday, January 29.

The center said Taylor died on Sunday, January 28 at his Signal Mountain home. He was 81.

Additionally, they say they will share funeral arrangements and events in his honor in the next few days.

Back on September 5, 2023, President Biden presented Capt. Taylor with the Medal of Honor at the White House. He received this recognition due to his actions in Vietnam.

The Heritage Center explained how he saved the lives of many others.

“Then-First Lieutenant Taylor was commander of a team of two Cobra helicopter gunships responding to an urgent call for support by a four-man patrol team. Once reaching the area, Taylor and his wingman targeted the enemy encircling the patrol team, flying multiple low-level passes under intense enemy fire. As the gunships’ ammunition ran low, Taylor continued to make fake gun runs at low altitude to distract the enemy from the men on the ground. He observed that the patrol team’s planned evacuation route was unviable, given the heavy fire they were still encountering. Taylor then landed his helicopter 100 yards away, still under intense enemy fire, to meet the patrol team on the ground. With the team climbing onboard wherever they could, including seated on rocket-pods and skids, Taylor was able to evacuate the entire patrol team, thereby saving their lives.”

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Capt. Taylor also received the Bronze Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, numerous Air Medals and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.

Larry Taylor graduated from Chattanooga High School and the attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. From there, he joined the U.S. Army and later served in the Vietnam War.

Following his military service, Taylor started a roofing and sheet metal company in his hometown.

Chairman of the Heritage Center and retired veteran Colonel Frank Hughes made the following statement on Taylor’s passing.

“Today, our country has lost a great American hero with the passing of Medal of Honor recipient Captain Larry Lowe Taylor.

On June 18, 1968, Captain Taylor went above and beyond the call of duty, risked his own safety and saved the lives of his fellow soldiers – forever changing the fate of four families for generations to come. His actions on that day would eventually lead to him receiving the Medal of Honor and being honored as one of our nation’s bravest heroes. As Captain Taylor would often say, “I was just doing my job. I knew that if I did not go down and get them, they would not make it. We never leave a man behind.”

Taylor served in Vietnam for one year, flying one of the first Bell AH1-G Cobra attack helicopters in combat. He flew more than 2,000 combat missions, was engaged by enemy fire 340 times and was forced down five times. During this time, the Army awarded Captain Taylor more than at least 50 combat decorations, including the Silver Star, a Bronze Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 43 Air Medals.

His legacy truly exemplifies the best of American values — patriotism, courage, sacrifice and commitment. It’s fitting that his legacy will be told at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center where his heroic act of valor will continue to serve as an inspiration for all of us, today and into the future, on how ordinary people can face and overcome extraordinary challenges in their life to make a difference. My thoughts and prayers are with the Taylor family during this difficult time.”