- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Larry Taylor
- Creator:
- Galloway, Joseph L.
Taylor, Larry, 1941- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2020-02-24
2020 - Subject:
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, American
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C.)
Vietnam War (Television program)
Tet Offensive, 1968
Hmong (Asian people)
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
Vang Pao
Air America
United States. Marine Corps
United States. Central Intelligence Agency
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base - Location:
- United States, 39.76, -98.5
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, retired Major General Larry Taylor recalls his experiences serving in the United States Marine Corps and as a civilian helicopter pilot for Air America in the Vietnam War. He describes his upbringing, education, and reasons for joining the Marine Corps in 1959. He served with a Marine expeditionary unit on five cruises before becoming disenchanted with some Marine Corps personnel policies. When his term of active duty expired in 1966, he applied to Air America and began flying for them. He explains what Air America was, how it developed, and describes the three main types of missions they flew. He reflects on the leadership in the unit, how good the maintenance was on their aircraft, and what living conditions were like. He recalls several incidents, including experiencing heavy fire that peppered his helicopter full of holes
visiting a friend in Vietnam in January of 1968 and becoming trapped there when the Tet Offensive broke out
and flying ammunition to Hmong leader Vang Pao. He reflects on the Hmong people and the Lao armed forces. He left Air America in 1968 and returned to the Marine Corps and describes his work in several squadrons. After his retirement from active duty, he remained in the Corps reserves and was called back to active duty following the September 11 terrorist attacks. He reflects on the Vietnam War and the myths that are frequently associated with it and describes returning to Vietnam in 2006.
3rd Battalion, 8th Marines
Sikorsky H-34
crew chief
flight mechanic
chief pilot
Air Force "Pony Express"
"soul release ceremony"
Sihanouk Trail
tow birds
Larry Taylor served in the United States Marine Corps and as a civilian helicopter pilot for Air America in the Vietnam War. - External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/904
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
