RESTRICTED

HEADQUARTERS 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
Office of the Division Commander

A.P.O. 469, U. S, Army,
22       May         1945.

GENERAL ORDERS }

NUMBER -— 73 )

SECTION

AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL, OAF LEAP CLUSTER......................I
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL.................................................II
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, OAK LEAF CLUSTER...................III
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE........IV
AWARD OF THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL ............................................ .V
 

      Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in letter 200.6 (AG) Headquarters XVIII Corps Airborne, dated 31 August 1944, the following named individuals are awarded the Bronze Star Medal:

      ROYAL R. TAYLOR, 01292614, Major, 508th Parachute Infantry. For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy for the period 4-6 July 1944 near ***, FRANCE. Major TAYLOR, then Captain, was given the command of the Second Battalion during the attack, on HILL 95 on 4 July 1944. The battalion had suffered heavy losses and was under strength and in danger of disorganization. He stimulated and revitalized the battalion, made numerous personal reconnaissances under heavy fire, evaluated the enemy's defenses, and within a few hours launched an attack which took the immediate objective. On 5 July 1944 Major TAILOR personally discovered an enemy group forming for counter-attacks and directed such punishing artillery and mortar fire upon them that the attack never was able to materialize. On 6 July 1944 he led an attack in conjunction with other forces which wiped out an enemy pocket of resistance. Throughout these difficult days, Major TAYLOR’ s superior tactical ability and inspiring leadership under fire was responsible in great measure for the successful completion of the battalion’s attack missions. Entered military service from MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

(Order set courtesy Rex Combs collection)