Tennessean Army veteran Larry Taylor merits his well-deserved, if tardy, Medal of Honor

America’s highest award for heroism is the Medal of Honor.

Just 40 Tennesseans have received the Medal of Honor since it was first authorized in 1861.

On Sept. 5, President Joseph R. Biden presented the Medal of Honor to Chattanooga’s long time resident Larry Taylor for heroism during the war in Vietnam.

Larry chose to put himself and his Army Cobra helicopter in the line of heavy enemy fire to rescue four soldiers surrounded by enemy forces.

Putting his own life at risk to save these four soldiers earned this distinguished aviator our nation’s highest military honor and the lifelong gratitude of those he saved.

Why it took the United States Army so long to process and approve the Medal of Honor remains a mystery. As the nation’s highest honor for bravery , nominations must be vetted and validated. 55 years is far too long.

Essay on patriotism: 50 years after the Vietnam War ended, its veterans deserve our gratitude

Larry Taylor's Medal of Honor is well deserved

Larry Taylor left the U.S. Army after completing his tour of duty and obtaining the rank of captain. Honorably discharged, this distinguished veteran had received numerous awards for his brave combat service.

As the latest Tennessean to receive the Medal of Honor, Larry Taylor takes his well deserved place with those who have served our nation with conspicuous gallantry.

40 million Americans have served in our Armed Forces and just 3,517 Americans have earned the Medal of Honor. Just 269 Vietnam Veterans have earned this highest honor.

Americans are in awe of our heroes like Capt. Larry Taylor. He put his own life at great risk to save four fellow soldiers.

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Thank you for the patriotism of the men Captain Taylor saved

John 15:13, of the King James Bible says it best: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friend.”

Clearly Larry was willing to do just that for his fellow soldiers.

The Medal of Honor award was the result of one of the four men he saved that day.

Thank you Dave Hill for your patriotism and service in the United States Army. Your dogged determination to recognize the efforts of the man who saved your life and three of your fellow soldiers, Capt. Larry Taylor, is a great testament to us all.

Thomas Salas Freeman is a veteran. He is the cofounder of Honor Our Veterans-and resides in Williamson County. Reach him at Tomfreeman44@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Medal of honor: Heroic Tennessean Larry Taylor deserved his award