CAPTAIN RONALD S. TAYLOR, received the Distinguished Service Cross because of his extraordinary heroism in Vietnam on 7 January 1968 when his unit became engaged in heavy fighting with a reinforced North Vietnamese battalion. As the battle developed, the then Lt. Taylor, and an element of fifty men became surrounded by the hostile forces. He immediately made two attempts to break the enemy encirclement, but both were driven back. Lt. Taylor then ordered his men, twenty of whom were already wounded, into a hasty defensive perimeter. Constantly exposing himself to the continuing enemy fusillade, he moved from position to position as he called for and adjusted a ring of friendly artillery fire around the location of his troops. The determined enemy repeatedly assaulted the defenders, attempting to overrun them. Each attack was successfully repulsed by Lt. Taylor’s skillful adjustment of coordinated artillery barrages and the small arms and automatic weapons fire of his men. For more than twenty six hours he successfully directed the defense of the position inflicting heavy casualties on the North Vietnamese foe.

Captain Taylor joined the Legion of Valor in 1970.