partment of the Army, General Orders No. 43 (August 9, 1971)

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  Department of the Army, General Orders No. 43 (August 9, 1971)
  

Sykes, Larry W.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Larry W. Sykes, Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery A, 8th Battalion, 6th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division. Private First Class Sykes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 May 1969 while serving as a cannoneer during the defense of Fire Support Base Gela. In the early morning hours the fire base came under a fierce rocket and ground attack. When his emplacement sustained several direct hits which destroyed his howitzer, Private Sykes braved flying shrapnel to aid a fellow soldier downed by hostile fragmentation. Seeing that the enemy had now launched a ground assault on the perimeter, he ran from gun parapet to parapet gathering machine guns and ammunition. He dashed to the perimeter under heavy fire and distributed several of the weapons to waiting infantrymen. He himself took up a position where the hostile fire was heaviest. For nearly three hours Private Sykes directed friendly fire and steadfastly resisted enemy attempts to penetrate his sector of the perimeter. Though suffering painful burns to his hand when replacing the barrel of his machine gun, he remained at his weapon and shortly afterward cut down six enemy soldiers in the wire directly to his front. When he had exhausted his supply of ammunition, he again exposed himself to the hail of fire to obtain a grenade launcher which he skillfully employed against further enemy probes. Private First Class Sykes' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3416 (September 7, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clarence Szyiback, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Szyiback distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 June 1969 while serving as a radio-telephone operator at Fire Support Base Crook in Tay Ninh Province. When the base came under intense rocket and mortar attack, Specialist Szyiback secured his radio and followed the company commander to the defensive perimeter to observe and report enemy movements. Exposing himself to the rain of enemy fire, he assisted in resupplying ammunition to troops in the bunkers. When the enemy blew gaps in the wire defenses and attempted to breach the perimeter, he helped organize and lead a reaction force which beat back the hostile surge. After the battle subsided, he moved with the command group through the combat area to inspect enemy casualties and equipment. As the group searched the area, a wounded enemy soldier threw an anti-tank grenade at the company commander. Specialist Szyiback unhesitatingly moved in front of the officer, deflected the armed weapons, and then picked it up and threw it. The grenade exploded s it left his hand, inflicting severe wounds on him. Specialist Four Szyiback's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3421 (1969)
  

(Second Award)

The Distinguished Service Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to Thomas H. Tackaberry, Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 September 1966 while serving as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) on a search and destroy operation near Bong Son. At approximately 1500 hours a fifteen man patrol was engaged in an intense fire fight with a reinforced company of the North Vietnamese Army. The platoon leader had been killed and the patrol was pinned down. Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry ordered his unarmed command helicopter to land near the action. Running through the intense fire, he reached the besieged patrol and assumed personal command of the unit. He then called for a reserve force to reinforce his position. As the reinforcements arrived in the landing zone, Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry again exposed himself to the full observation and fire of the insurgents as he positioned them for an attack on the North Vietnamese emplacements. With complete disregard for his safety, he personally led the assault on the forward hostile bunkers and succeeded in driving the insurgents from their positions. Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry directed and assisted his men in clearing the captured bunkers, steadily forcing the numerically superior hostile unit to withdraw. Receiving word to extract his force, the patrol quickly returned to the landing zone and established a defensive perimeter. Two of the pickup helicopters were hit by intense fire from the rapidly regrouping hostile troops. Despite the threat of an all out insurgent assault on the landing zone, Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry refused to leave until the rest of his men had been extracted. Along with two remaining (REMAINDER OF CITATION MISSING).

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6537 (November 28, 1966)
  

Tackaberry, Thomas H.

(Third Award)

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to Thomas H. Tackaberry, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 196th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Colonel Tackaberry distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 September 1969 while serving as commanding officer of the 196th Infantry Brigade. When Landing Zone Siberia came under intense mortar, recoilless rifle, and heavy automatic weapons fire from three companies of North Vietnamese Regulars, Colonel Tackaberry flew to the besieged firebase. Despite the heavy barrage of fire directed at his craft, Colonel Tackaberry jumped from the helicopter and immediately began assessing the tactical ground situation. Braving the relentless enemy fire, he moved from position to position to instruct, encourage, and direct effective suppressive fire against the determined hostile force. He then left the safety of the firebase to move outside the perimeter, personally directing an assault against the enemy emplacements. Obtaining an M-60 machine gun, he led the attack against the dug-in communists until they were soundly routed. After returning to the firebase, Colonel Tackaberry spent an additional four hours on the landing zone until the perimeter defense was reestablished. Colonel Tackaberry's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4035 (October 31, 1969)
  

Taft, John K.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John K. Taft, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Taft distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 June 1969 while leading his company during a reconnaissance-in-force mission. As the unit's lead platoon advanced into a jungle clearing, they were suddenly met with barrages of automatic weapons fire which instantly cut down a number of troopers. Captain Taft quickly moved from the rear of the company to an exposed position on the edge of the clearing where he surveyed the situation and radioed for artillery fire and gunship strikes on the enemy. Attempting to pull back without cover fire, the lead elements sustained additional casualties. Captain Taft saw their plight and rushed out into the open to assist them. He laid down suppressive fire with his rifle which enabled several wounded to be withdrawn. He then returned to his observation point. While directing gunship fire on the enemy, he received a bullet wound in the head. He refused medical attention, and when he saw a comrade downed in the open, he dashed forward under intense fire and dragged the man to cover. The firefight raged on, and as he continued in his weakened state to train gunship strikes on the hostile troops, he received another bullet wound in the head. But Captain Taft refused evacuation and courageously remained in command of his men until all the wounded had been extracted and reinforcements had arrived. Captain Taft's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3466 (September 13, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Bruce Tasker, Warrant Officer (W-1), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. Warrant Officer Tasker distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 June 1968 while participating in a visual reconnaissance mission north of An Nhut Tan. He was flying his aircraft at low altitudes over a suspected enemy-held area when he received a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire which wounded him and his crew chief and caused the ship to crash. Mister Tasker jumped out of the craft and began firing at the Viet Cong, thus enabling his crew chief to escape the wreckage. Then, with complete disregard for his wounds and his safety, he attacked and silenced two enemy bunkers with grenades. Gunships repeatedly attempted to effect a rescue, but were stopped by a devastating fusillade of hostile fire. Mister Tasker and his crew chief heroically fought their way through the Viet Cong lines until the position was overrun and they were killed. Warrant Officer Tasker's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4492 (September 25, 1968)
  

*Taylor, James Edward

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Edward Taylor, First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery B, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 1 February 1969 as acting commander of an artillery battery twelve miles northwest of Lai Khe. Shortly after midnight Lieutenant Taylor's fire support base came under intense mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire, followed by a ground assault. As he was checking his six howitzer positions to insure that they were properly manned, he spotted a break in the perimeter wire made by an enemy bangalore torpedo. Braving the hostile shrapnel and automatic weapons fire, he ran to one of the howitzer positions and fired the gun directly into the charging communists. Although he became the target of a rocket-propelled grenade team, he continued his suppressive fire and succeeded in preventing the enemy from entering through the break in the wire. A rocket-propelled grenade struck his position, wounding him and throwing him against a sandbag wall of the howitzer parapet. Ignoring his painful injuries, he returned to the howitzer and fired the weapon until fatally wounded by a second direct hit on his position. First Lieutenant Taylor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1138 (April 2, 1969)
  

Taylor, James R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James R. Taylor, Major (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Major Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 March 1969 while controlling a volunteer night raiding force operating in Dinh Tuong Province. Shortly after landing, the team encountered a large Viet Cong force using automatic weapons, small arms and rockets. During the initial exchange of fire, the radio-telephone operator was killed and the radio damaged. When communications were severed, Major Taylor immediately directed his command-and-control ship to set down in the area. In spite of the barrage that assailed the craft on landing, Major Taylor disembarked and ordered the ship away. He then attempted to join the team members, who at this time were almost surrounded by the enemy. By attacking a group of Viet Cong who were executing a flanking movement and killing two of them, he managed to reach the team. After strengthening the team's defensive position, he turned his attention to calling in supportive fire from gun ships. Because the radio had been damaged he could transmit but not receive. Controlling the firing of the Cobra gun ships, therefore, seemed an impossible task. Nonetheless, he established an ingenious system of signals incorporating radio transmissions and flashing aircraft landing lights. In this manner he effectively directed and adjusted bombardment upon the enemy. Then, while braving hostile ground fire to assist in evacuating the wounded and dead, he killed five Viet Cong. Having determined a rendezvous point using the radio and aircraft light code, he guided the remainder of the raiding team to the pick-up zone. Major Taylor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2030 (June 9, 1969)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James Thompson Taylor, Jr., Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-342, 5th Special Forces (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions from 9 June 1965 to 10 June 1965 while serving as a medical specialist for the Special Forces camp at Dong Xoai. At the onset of a vicious attack by an estimated Viet Cong regiment, Sergeant Taylor dashed into the deadly fire in search of casualties. He found his seriously wounded commander crawling to a firing position, carried him the rest of the way, and gave him treatment that saved his life. Sergeant Taylor then moved among the deteriorating defensive positions, calming the men, controlling their fire, and treating the wounded. To reestablish communications with the executive officer, he ran and crawled 300 meters through explosions and rifle fire. Finding the officer without a radio, he returned to his compound, escorted an operator to the isolated area, and again returned to his defensive duties. Each time Sergeant Taylor risked death while passing through the frenzied fire of both hostile and friendly lines. When perimeter positions became untenable, he helped carry his commander 300 meters to the headquarters building, the final strongpoint. Throughout the day, ignoring his own injuries, he alternately treated wounded men and fought off attacks to within 20 meters of the building. Sergeant Taylor's inspired leadership enabled the force to hold back an overwhelming Viet Cong siege for fourteen hours. Sergeant Taylor's stamina and courage as a medic and as a fighter preserved the defensive strength of the beleaguered unit. His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 737 (February 20, 1967)
  

Taylor, Lawrence R.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lawrence R. Taylor, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 April 1967 while serving as a member of a tank unit during a search and destroy mission in the Filhol Plantation. While Sergeant Taylor's platoon searched for a Viet Cong unit known to be in the vicinity, it entered a heavily mined and booby trapped area. When one of the platoon's tanks hit a mine, the men dismounted their vehicles to search the area and disarm the insurgent traps. A few minutes later, they received a sudden outburst of rifle and machine gun fire from a bunker 30 meters away. Six men were wounded immediately and remained exposed to hostile fire. Sergeant Taylor unhesitatingly ran 30 meters through the mined field, ignoring the intense Viet Cong barrage, to lay down a heavy base of fire to protect the casualties. When his ammunition ran out, he charged the enemy bunker, armed only with two grenades, and threw them into the emplacement. The insurgents were silenced, but only momentarily, so Sergeant Taylor ran to a machine gun on a nearby truck. He fired on the hostile fortification until his machine gun would no longer fire, then once again charged directly at the enemy weapons to throw two grenades at the Viet Cong. After his own assault, he directed a tank to engage the insurgents. When the smoke had cleared, five Viet Cong were found dead, and there was evidence that the insurgents had suffered several more serious casualties. Sergeant Taylor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3058 (June 22, 1967)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ronald S. Taylor, First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 January 1968 as acting executive officer of his company during a mission in the Que Son Valley. His unit became engaged in heavy fighting with a reinforced North Vietnamese battalion. As the battle developed, Lieutenant 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. Lieutenant 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 Lieutenant 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. First Lieutenant Taylor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4093 (August 23, 1968)
  

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Edward Taylor, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Captain Taylor distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 and 15 August 1966 while serving as commanding officer during a company search and destroy operation in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon entering the operational area, the lead platoon became pinned down after making contact with a large Viet Cong force. Captain Taylor, moving at the head of the second platoon, exposed himself to intense hostile machine gun and sniper fire to direct the movement of his company. He repeatedly braved hostile fire while maneuvering his company to the Viet Cong flank. When the artillery forward observer was wounded, Captain Taylor moved to an advanced position and directed aerial rocket artillery and tactical air strikes. These strikes were called to within twenty meters of the friendly forward elements and caused the Viet Cong to break contact. When darkness fell, Captain Taylor personally supervised the evacuation of the dead and wounded. The following morning, as the company was preparing to continue its mission, it was again attacked by the Viet Cong employing mortar fire. Captain Taylor, with complete disregard for his safety while receiving intense hostile fire, refused to leave his observation post and continued to direct the defense of his perimeter. Although wounded by shrapnel, he continued to issue orders and exercise control of his unit until he was mortally wounded by an incoming mortar round. Captain Taylor's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

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  HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5967 (1966)
  

*Techmeir, Larry Lester

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Larry Lester Techmeir, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry, Americal Division. Sergeant Techmeier distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 14 July 1969 while serving as a platoon sergeant during the construction of Fire Base 411 near Quang Ngai. In the early morning hours, Sergeant Techmeier, who was on listening post, observed five enemy sappers moving through the wire perimeter. Immediately notifying the command post of the danger, he began maneuvering toward the hostile force. Suddenly the members of Sergeant Techmeier's platoon opened fire on the infiltrating element. As the enemy returned a heavy volume of fire, two of the North Vietnamese managed to penetrate the wire and flank the bunker. Rising form his position, Sergeant Techmeier charged the two invaders, killing one and causing the other to flee. Obtaining permission to pursue the retreating enemy, he and three of his men went beyond the wire to reconnoiter the area. Just as they passed the outermost wire, a hostile element pinned them down with strafing automatic weapons fire and grenades. After Sergeant Techmeier killed two enemy soldiers, he was severely wounded by an exploding grenade. Rushing the thrower of the grenade, he killed the enemy soldier and captured his weapon. As he was returning to his men, he succumbed to his wounds. Sergeant Techmeier's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.