James Allen Taylor

Born at the end of the Great Depression, James Allen Taylor was born on December 31, 1937, in Humboldt County, California. There is little information about his family. He likely graduated in 1955 from Arcata Union High School in Arcata, California. In 1956, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served until 1980 and retired as a Major. While in high school, he was an Arcata Tiger in high school; he later became an Army Mustang.

He served 10 years as an enlisted soldier before being selected for and completing Officer Candidate School and being commissioned as an officer. Those who move from enlisted to officer are known as Mustangs. Along the way, he obtained a college degree, a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Tampa.

As a freshly minted first lieutenant, he was in the famous Americal Division and detailed to Vietnam. On 9 November 1967, near Que Son, Republic of Vietnam, First Lieutenant James A. Taylor served as executive officer of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, during a reconnaissance mission when his unit was suddenly ambushed by a well-concealed enemy force. Despite intense automatic weapons fire, Taylor repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to direct his men, evacuate the wounded, and organize defensive positions. When friendly elements were pinned down, he led counterattacks to relieve pressure and recover casualties. Even after being wounded, Taylor refused evacuation and continued to lead until the enemy was driven off, saving numerous lives through conspicuous gallantry.

For actions west of Que Son, Republic of Vietnam, on November 9, 1967, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He received his medal from President Lyndon Johnson on November 19, 1968.

James Allen Taylor’s Medal of Honor citation reads:

Capt. Taylor, Armor, was serving as executive officer of Troop B, 1st Squadron. His troop was engaged in an attack on a fortified position west of Que Son when it came under intense enemy recoilless-rifle, mortar, and automatic-weapons fire from an enemy strong point located immediately to its front. One armored cavalry assault vehicle was hit immediately by recoilless-rifle fire and all five crewmembers were wounded. Aware that the stricken vehicle was in grave danger of exploding, Capt. Taylor rushed forward and personally extracted the wounded to safety despite the hail of enemy fire and exploding ammunition. Within minutes a second armored cavalry assault vehicle was hit by multiple recoilless-rifle rounds. Despite the continuing intense enemy fire, Capt. Taylor moved forward on foot to rescue the wounded men from the burning vehicle and personally removed all the crewmen to the safety of a nearby dike. Moments later the vehicle exploded. As he was returning to his vehicle, a bursting mortar round painfully wounded Capt. Taylor yet he valiantly returned to his vehicle to relocate the medical evacuation zone to an area closer to the front lines. As he was moving his vehicle, it came under machine- gun fire from an enemy position not 50 yards away. Capt. Taylor engaged the position with his machine gun, killing the three-man crew. Upon arrival at the new evacuation site, still another vehicle was struck. Once again Capt. Taylor rushed forward and pulled the wounded from the vehicle, loaded them aboard his vehicle, and returned them safely to the evacuation site. His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire troop, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military profession and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Beyond Service

After service, and his selfless actions to save lives, James A. Taylor retreated to a life of privacy away from the public eye.