An Extraordinary Man
For some there is no Now. Such is
the case with this man..His name is Karl G. Taylor. SSgt USMC. A brief history shows us
that among Marines...this is one of America's finest. Karl Taylor was my cousin and I miss
him terribly. He was all of 6'5" 230lb giant of a Marine. Before going to D'Nam..Karl
was (perhaps some of you remember him) a DI at MCRD Parris Island- South Carolina. It was
said that he was one of the toughest DI's the Marine Corps had..that walked that place. I
knew him well enough to one day asked him why they said that about him. He just smiled
that Big smile of his. "Their MARINES. they expect me to be that way....and I
care about what happens to each one of them." I didn't really understand what Karl
was saying..but away from Parris Island..he was one of the finest men I have ever met. His
heart was as big and caring about his fellow man as I have ever seen. I suppose it goes
with what he was really trying to tell me.
*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.
Semper Fidelis--Karl we miss you and always will my
brother!! I am a better person to have known you.
S/Sgt. Karl Taylor was my brother first..and my
cousin second. If any of you knew Karl..I'd like to hear from you.
