AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Vietnam
MODEL:  -

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Dolph Taylor, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight in combat with the enemy while attached to and serving with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN, embarked in USS ENTERPRISE (CVA(N) 65), on 21 May 1967. Lieutenant Commander Taylor [participated in a highly successful coordinated attack by a large strike group on the Van Dien vehicle depot in Hanoi, in the most heavily defended sector of North Vietnam. Lieutenant Commander Taylor entered an extremely hostile surface-to-air missile area ahead of the strike group, for the purpose of drawing off and suppressing enemy opposition. He deliberately exposed himself to the enemy as he closed in for a BULLPUP attack on one of the three surface-to-air missile sites in the area. The site immediately took his section under attack and after skillfully avoiding the first volley of enemy missiles, Lieutenant Commander Taylor fired his first BULLPUP. Without regard for his personal safety he ignored a missile warning and oblivious to the enemy missile, which passed directly over his cockpit and exploded behind his aircraft, resolutely pressed his attack into the enemy position, scoring a direct hit. He then, remained in the lethal area for a reattack, guided his second BULLPUP into the site causing further destruction. Lieutenant Commander Taylor's gallant and determined attack in the face of extremely dangerous and varied enemy opposition were courageously executed and enabled the main strike group to pass the area unharmed. His intrepid actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.