Larry Taylor’s daring Cobra rescue, convention coverage and more in November magazine

The November issue of The American Legion Magazine is now online, with a full recap of the Legion’s 104th National Convention, and features on Medal of Honor recipient Larry Taylor, Alex Palou’s spectacular INDYCAR season in the No. 10 American Legion Honda and declining ASVAB scores’ effect on military recruitment. The clickable digi-mag is available through MyLegion.org.

• Vietnam War Army veteran Ralph Hill tells how his long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRP) team, surrounded by North Vietnamese forces, was saved from certain death by Cobra helicopter pilot Larry Taylor the night of June 18, 1968. In September, Taylor received the Medal of Honor for his daring rescue, and is the third recipient of the nation’s most prestigious military decoration from American Legion Post 14 in Chattanooga, Tenn. “He’s always had a kind of ‘aw shucks’ attitude about it, but what he did was above and beyond the call of duty, and certainly at the risk of his own life,” Hill says.

• In “Tested,” Steve Beynon explains how declining academic performance nationwide is adding to the military’s difficulty filling the ranks. “Roughly a decade ago, two-thirds of applicants could pass the ASVAB; now it’s about one-third,” he writes. “With the Army, roughly 70% of all applicants drop out of the enlistment process around the time they take a practice ASVAB, service data shows.”

• Read and watch highlights from the Legion’s 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., including a personal and powerful fireside chat about veteran suicide prevention, the inaugural Be the One symposium, a Q&A with Yankees legend and Legion “Good Guy” Bobby Richardson, a record-breaking Legacy Run, remarks from distinguished military and government officials, award winners and much more.

• Winning his second INDYCAR championship in three years, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou is proud to race for a cause with The American Legion and its Be the One mission. “I think we’re raising awareness of the issue (of veteran suicide),” says Palou, who drove the No. 10 American Legion Honda in 12 races. “It all starts by asking our veterans if they need help. You can be the one to save a veteran’s life today.”

Members can click here to access the digital magazine.

To join The American Legion and enjoy monthly digital issues of The American Legion Magazine, visit legion.org/join.