[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL BAYARD ``VIC'' TAYLOR

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                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to 
an outstanding American who has given so much to our nation, yet asks 
for so little--former U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Bayard 
``Vic'' Taylor.
  Vic did not just wear the uniform of a United States Marine. From the 
beginning of his Marine Corps career, he lived the life of a Marine, 
dedicated to serving his country and improving the primary 
responsibility of each Marine--to understand and execute the tactics of 
the rifleman.
  Vic first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1957 and served in Hawaii 
and the Far East until his release from military duty in 1960. With the 
war in Vietnam intensifying, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps in 1967 
to fight during what many consider to be the war's darkest years. The 
Second Battalion, Fourth Marines were fortunate to have Vic as both a 
rifle platoon and company commander, where he was awarded the 
distinguished Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with Combat V, two Purple 
Hearts, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, and the Vietnamese 
Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.
  In the jungles and battlefields of Vietnam, Vic quickly became 
familiar with intense and close quarter combat. Aside from leading a 
number of attacks against North Vietnamese Army fortifications along 
the Cua Viet River, he fought in the infamous battle for Dai Do. For 
many Vietnam veterans, the battle for Dai Do is not only a story of 
extreme heroism and courage, but also remains a testament to the brave 
men and fighting spirit of the United States Marine Corps. The victory 
at Dai Do can be credited to the extraordinary bravery, competence, 
initiative, toughness, and selflessness of individual Marines and small 
unit leaders like Vic Taylor who carried the day.
  Vic's demonstrated knowledge of infantry tactics, techniques, and 
weaponry led to an assignment as an instructor at the Basic School in 
Quantico, Virginia, where he was later tasked with the responsibility 
of creating an improved Infantry Officer's Course (IOC). The need for 
such a course was predicated on the threat posed by our Cold War 
enemies and its purpose was to ensure Marines possessed the knowledge 
and training beyond basic infantry courses that were completed by 
officers in all occupational fields.
  With the first class scheduled for May of 1977, Vic immediately 
gathered two equally creative and knowledgeable Marines, Terry Paul and 
Will Oler, as partners in this endeavor. They first determined the 
course should prepare newly acquainted infantry officers for the 
realities of combat. This meant managing a rifle platoon, obtaining 
increased weapons proficiency, and leading a rifle company in the event 
the Captain is either wounded or killed. However, during the course's 
development, it grew beyond expectations and featured not only tactics 
and weaponry, but also communications, demolitions, rough terrain 
skills and operations. While part of the instruction was derived from 
existing Marine Corps field manuals, much of it was original, drawn 
from Vic's personal experiences.
  The IOC was completed on schedule and graduated its first class in 
June of 1977. The Marine Corps had a new Lieutenant, schooled to 
confront the dangers of combat and lead his fellow Marine through its 
peril.
  The course has since increased in breadth and length, and rather than 
a six week curriculum as originally planned, it has expanded to 13 
weeks and now includes an instructive desert operation course that has 
undoubtedly prepared our Marines for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Vic 
took great pride in knowing that this course would challenge each 
infantry officer with extreme circumstances and unique environments, 
similar to what he faced in the battle of Dai Do.
  The infantryman shares a common bond that unlike many other service 
occupations, strengthens amongst trial and adversity. Their necessity, 
coupled with their sacrifice, should never be forgotten in the minds of 
Americans and will surely never be forgotten in the mind of the Marine. 
For each distinguished graduate leaving the IOC, nothing is more 
appropriate than expressing appreciation for this type of warrior's 
accomplishment than honoring him with tools of the trade. Knowing that 
the respect and history of the infantry lives in its weaponry, Vic 
thought it essential to provide each distinguished IOC graduate with a 
.45 caliber automatic Colt pistol--the weapon he often resorted to in 
combat and the weapon many of these Marines will continue to rely on in 
similar circumstances. He took it upon himself and endowed the Marine 
Corps University Foundation to maintain this distinguished award in 
perpetuity, citing each of these Marines as ``the Lieutenant I'd most 
like to have on my flank.''
  Mr. Speaker, President Ronald Reagan once said, ``Some people spend 
an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines 
don't have that problem.'' While I fully believe this to be true, I 
also feel that it is the service and dedication of Marines like Vic 
Taylor that validates this statement. Without his contribution and 
concern, it is likely that our fighting men and women on the ground 
would not have the knowledge and experience they posses today.
  Despite Vic's retirement from the military in 1985, his leadership 
and guidance continues to serve the Marine Corps and will do so for 
years to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in giving 
the thanks and respect Bayard ``Vic'' Taylor deserves for his service 
to the Marine Corps and to our nation.

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