Medal of Honor recipient, University of Tennessee at Knoxville alum Larry Taylor dies
Chattanooga native and Medal of Honor recipient Larry Taylor died Jan. 28 at his home in Signal Mountain, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced. Taylor, who was 81, is survived by his wife Toni and other family members.
A Cobra helicopter commander during the Vietnam War, Taylor received national attention last year when President Joe Biden presented him with the nation’s highest decoration for military valor during a White House ceremony.
“1st Lt. Taylor’s conspicuous gallantry, his profound concern for his fellow soldiers, and his intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army,” Biden said of Taylor during the ceremony.
A special parade and ceremony in downtown Chattanooga were later held in his honor.
In 1968, Taylor and his co-pilot went to help a four-man patrol team on the ground under attack by firing multiple rockets and machine gun fire at enemy fighters. As ammunition ran low, Taylor made fake gun runs to distract the enemy, then landed the helicopter and rescued the four Americans, including Gerald Patty of Maryville.
The helicopter was not designed for passengers, but the team climbed onboard and sat wherever they could, including on rocket-pods and skids, while still under heavy fire, according to the Medal of Honor Society release. Taylor was able to fly them to safety.
Taylor was previously awarded a Silver Star for his military heroism, but it was upgraded to the Medal of Honor upon reexamination of his actions.
Taylor was born in Chattanooga, graduating from Chattanooga High School and then attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. At UT, he was an ROTC captain, vice president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, in the Scabbard and Blade military honor society and was involved in music and fine arts programs.
Upon leaving active duty as a captain, he ran a roofing and sheet metal company in Chattanooga. He continued to be actively engaged in veterans' organizations and his church, and supported various nonprofits in the Chattanooga area.
Other honors Taylor has received include the Bronze Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, numerous Air Medals and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.
There are 63 Medal of Honor Recipients alive today, according to the Medal of Honor Society.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Medal of Honor recipient Larry Taylor dies at 81
