Clovis R. Taylor
Sergeant, U.S. Army

In August 1950, then-Private First Class Clovis R. Taylor was serving with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

From 31 August to 7 September 1950, PFC Taylor's unit was engaged with enemy forces near Yongsan, Korea, on the Naktong-gang River line. On the night of 31 August an overwhelming number of the enemy launched an all-out attack against the thinly-held lines of the Ninth Infantry Regiment in an attempt to breakthrough and take Miryang, the gateway to Pusan. PFC Taylor was part of a group of men from Companies H and D, Ninth Infantry who, during the initial phase of the enemy attack, were surrounded and cut off by the enemy. The group formed a small perimeter defense in an attempt to hold this ground and to slow the general advance of the enemy. The perimeter was constantly subjected to intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and artillery fire and the enemy continuously attacked their position in an attempt to dislodge them. On 1 September, PFC Taylor was in the midst of every fire-fight and continually encouraged others by his actions. Although wounded, he refused medical aid as medical supplies were low and others were more seriously wounded. On 2 September, PFC Taylor saw a long enemy column climbing Hill 209 carrying large mortars that, if set up on Hill 209, could be used against the men in the perimeter. Expecting them to stop for rest before reaching the top of the Hill, he told his machine-gun section to hold their fire. The enemy column stopped for rest, as expected, and he directed the fire of his machine-gun section so effectively that sixty-seven of the enemy were killed and the mortars were destroyed. During an enemy attack on 3 September, PFC Taylor stood in a fully exposed position and personally killed twenty-five enemy soldiers with his rifle. On 4 September, it was decided to abandon the perimeter, leave in small groups, and try to reach friendly lines. PFC Taylor led six men through enemy territory, engaging in numerous fire-fights with the enemy, and finally arrived safely with all but two of his men. PFC Taylor's extraordinary heroism and selfless actions earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

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 Private First Class Clovis R. Taylor (ASN: RA-18005785), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private First Class Taylor distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yongsan, Korea on the Naktong-gang River line, during the period from 31 August 1950 through 7 September 1950. On the night of 31 August 1950 the enemy launched an all-out attack in overwhelming numbers against the thinly held lines of the Ninth Infantry Regiment and was attempting to make a complete breakthrough and take Miryang, the gateway to Pusan. Private Taylor was part of a group of men from Companies H and D, Ninth Infantry who, during the initial phase of the enemy attack, were surrounded and cut off by the enemy. This group formed a small perimeter defense in an attempt to hold this ground and to slow down the general advance of the enemy. The perimeter was constantly subjected to intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and artillery fire and the enemy made continuous fanatical attacks against their position in an attempt to dislodge them. On 1 September 1950, Private Taylor was in the midst of every fire-fight and continually encouraged all those present by his actions and utter contempt for the enemy. He was wounded during one of the attacks but refused medical aid as medical supplies were low and there were others more seriously wounded who needed medical attention. On 2 September 1950, Corporal Taylor observed a long column of enemy climbing Hill 209 carrying large mortars with them which could be used against the men in the perimeter if set upon Hill 209. Expecting them to stop for rest before they reached the top of the hill, he had his machine-gun section held their fire. True to his expectations, the enemy column did stop for rest, and he directed the fire of his machine-gun section so effectively that sixty-seven of the enemy were killed and the mortars were destroyed. On 3 September 1950, during a particularly vicious enemy attack, Private Taylor, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, stood in a fully exposed position and alone killed twenty-five enemy with his rifle. On 4 September 1950, it was decided to abandon the perimeter and to leave in small groups and attempt to reach friendly lines. Private Taylor led six men through enemy territory, engaging in numerous fire-fights with the enemy, and finally arrived safely with all but two of his men.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 42 (January 25, 1951)

Death and Burial

Sergeant Clovis R. Taylor died on 24 May 1989. He is buried at Del Rose Cemetery in Vidor, Orange County, TX.

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