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CITATION FOR THE
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Lt. Col. Royal R. Taylor, U.S.A.
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Royal R. Taylor, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Executive Officer, 2d Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
Lieutenant Colonel Taylor distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, on 10 July 1953. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Taylor assumed command of a battalion contesting the enemy for the control of an important position. Without regard for his own safety, Lieutenant Colonel Taylor entered the trenches and bunkers, re-established communication, organized small unit counterattacks, and personally issued grenades and ammunition to his men. Despite the intense enemy small-arms, artillery and mortar fire blanketing the entire area, Lieutenant Colonel Taylor fearlessly moved about the United Nations positions, encouraging and inspiring the men and personally directed and assisted in the evacuation of the dead and wounded. On one occasion, Colonel Taylor's bunker received a direct hit from an enemy artillery shell, destroying the position and burying him in the debris. After being dug out, Lieutenant Colonel Taylor refused evacuation and led his subordinate through a hail of enemy fire to reestablish the command post at a more forward position. Upon receiving orders to withdraw, Lieutenant Colonel Taylor directed the orderly movement of the troops and supervised the evaluation of the casualties, refusing to leave until arrangements were completed for the removal of all personnel.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 935 (October 17, 1953)
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