TAYLOR, KARL G., SR.*
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF.
Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 December 1968.
Entered service at: Baltimore, Md.
Born: 14 July 1939, Laurel, Md.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving at night as a company gunnery sergeant during Operation MEADE RIVER. Informed that the commander of the lead platoon had been mortally wounded when his unit was pinned down by a heavy volume of enemy fire, S/Sgt. Taylor along with another marine, crawled forward to the beleaguered unit through a hail of hostile fire, shouted encouragement and instructions to the men, and deployed them to covered positions. With his companion, he then repeatedly maneuvered across an open area to rescue those marines who were too seriously wounded to move by themselves. Upon learning that there were still other seriously wounded men Lying in another open area, in proximity to an enemy machinegun position, S/Sgt. Taylor, accompanied by 4 comrades, led his men forward across the fire swept terrain in an attempt to rescue the marines. When his group was halted by devastating fire, he directed his companions to return to the company command post; whereupon he took his grenade launcher and in full view of the enemy, charged across the open rice paddy toward the machinegun position, firing his weapon as he ran. Although wounded several times, he succeeded in reaching the machinegun bunker and silencing the fire from that sector, moments before he was mortally wounded. Directly instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow marines, S/Sgt. Taylor, by his indomitable courage, inspiring leadership, and selfless dedication, upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: TAYLOR
First name: KARL GORMAN
Home of Record (official): AVELLA
State (official): PA
Date of Birth: Friday, July 14, 1939
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married
--- Military ---
Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: SSG
Serial Number: 1862790
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E6
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0369
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Sunday, January 21, 1968
Date of Casualty: Sunday, December 8, 1968
Age at time of loss: 29
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 37W - Row 070
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