Hamilton County, TN – On Monday, September 11, 2023, Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett, along with numerous HCSO personnel, participated in the parade and recognition festivities honoring our Nation’s newest Medal of Honor Recipient and fellow Chattanooga, Captain Larry Taylor. Captain Taylor was presented the Medal of Honor last week by United States President Joe Biden at the White House.

Today’s festivities included a parade honoring Captain Taylor and concluded with numerous elected officials and military leaders offering comments about his service at the Medal of Honor Museum downtown next to the Tennessee Aquarium.

Taylor served in Vietnam from August 1967 to August 1968, flying some of the first Bell AH1-G Cobra attack helicopters in combat. Serving with D Troop (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, Taylor flew over 2,000 combat missions in UH-1 and Cobra helicopters. He was engaged by enemy fire 340 times and was forced down five times. The U.S. Army awarded him at least 50 combat decorations, including the Silver Star, 43 Air Medals, a Bronze Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.

Among his many harrowing operations, the most dangerous and frightening took place on June 18, 1968, when he rescued a four-man long range patrol team at significant risk to his own life. For his heroic actions that night, the Army awarded him the Silver Star, which President Joe Biden upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2023.

Taylor concluded his military service as a captain with the 2nd Armored Cavalry in West Germany.

Please join with us as we recognize Captain Larry Taylor’s courageous service and congratulate him on being our nation’s most recent recipient of the prestigious Medal of Honor.