Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Brigadier General

Unit:

HQ, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

September 15th, 1943

"For gallantry in action while serving with the 82d Airborne Division, in action on 8 September 1943, in the vicinity of Italy. On 8 September 1943, General Taylor left *** and was met off *** by an **** which took him to ****, when he traveled through hostile territory to the *** of *** for the fulfillment of his mission. General Taylor, in volunteering for the mission, did so with complete disregard of the imminent danger involved and without thought of personal safety. The gallantry displayed by General Taylor in the successful completion of his hazardous mission is worthy of emulation. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army."

Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 33 (September 15, 1943)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

July 1st, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Neptune

Citation:
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General [then Brigadier General] Maxwell Davenport Taylor (ASN: 0-14898), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Division Commander of the 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Landing with his parachute unit in enemy territory and in the face of intense enemy fire, Major General Taylor quickly organized the control elements of the Division Headquarters. Perceiving that the important causeway at Carentan could not be taken by the unit assigned that mission, General Taylor personally led elements of the Division Headquarters and other special troops in an attack on the causeway. General Taylor led the successful assault and seized the causeway thereby clearing the way for the advance of the sea borne units. The courage and outstanding leadership displayed by General Taylor exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army."

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

December 9th, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

"For gallantry in action as Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division. Landing with the leading parachute elements of his Division in the liberation of Holland in the face of enemy fire, he assembled his staff and established the Division Command Post in the vicinity of Zen, Holland, on 17 September 1944. On the night of 19 September 1944, a strong force of enemy infantry and tanks attacked the town of Zen in an effort to capture or destroy the bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal, a vital point in the highway along which the British *** Corps was passing north to contact other forces at Arnham. Skillfully employing the small force of clerks, Signal Corps personnel and Military Police available, he personally led in the defense of the bridge and the Division Command Post. Upon the arrival of a small force of 57-mm. anti-tank guns, he personally directed their employment against the enemy armor and led in the successful defense of the area. His courage and inspiring leadership were in accordance with the military traditions of the United States."

Headquarters, XVIII Corps (Airborne), General Orders No. 10 (Bronze Oak leaf Cluster)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1945

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, from 1944 to 1945."

War Department, General Orders No. 36 (1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1946

Has distinguished himself in battle by eminent deeds of courage, tact and perseverance in the following manner by displaying, in his capacity as commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, initiative, sound judgment and extraordinary ability in devising and executing his plans for an airborne landing in the Netherlands. From September 17th, to November 28th, 1944 his courage and his determination to succeed were apparent from the numerous times he visited his troops at the front; he was wounded by a mortarbomb while visiting his beleaguered troops. His tactically sound plans and his extraordinary ability enabled his troops to wrestle their objectives from the Germans and to prevent the enemy from penetrating their positions. His work has contributed to the liberation of that part of the Netherlands where he landed.

Royal decree no.35

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

December 19th, 1955

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility February 1953 to 5 June 1955."

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award. (Department of the Army, General Orders No. 71)

Rank:

General

Unit:

Chief of staff of the Army (CSA), U.S. Department of the Army, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Government

Awarded on:

1959

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 30 June 1955 to 30 June 1959."

This award was obtained in the form of a second Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award. (Department of the Army, General Orders No. 28)

Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Rank:

General

Awarded on:

August 24th, 1964

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the period from October 1962 through July 1964."

This award was obtained in the form of a third Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award. (Department of the Army, General Orders No. 28)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, from 1944 to 1945."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major General

Unit:

Commanding General, HQ, 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles", U.S. Army

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

with palm