Staff Sergeant Philip Taylor, a Grand Island resident, enlisted in the Army in 1970 after completing one year at West Virginia University. On May 27, 1971, he was serving as the observer aboard an OH-58A Scout helicopter. Taylor and his pilot, Lieutenant Thomas Knuckey, were conducting passes over large enemy bunkers. They were killed on their third pass when their helicopter was hit and exploded. For his courageous acts, including those of that day, Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and many others for his heroic service. Taylor and Knuckey were laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery after they were repatriated in 1993.