Jones Geneaology Report 2024.02.18 - Person Sheet
Jones Geneaology Report 2024.02.18 - Person Sheet
NameCharles A Taylor Taylor
Birth11 Nov 1920, Klamath Falls, Klamath, Oregon
Death11 Jun 2017, Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky
BurialArlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
FatherDee Owen Taylor (1884-1982)
MotherMabel Mary Bakeman (1885-1933)
Misc. Notes
His birth certificate lists him as "Chas. A. Taylor". The Navy wouldn't accept Chas. A. Taylor as his name so in the military he took the name Charles "A" Taylor.
On December 7, 1941, while Chas was attending the University of Oregon, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Chas was raised to respect the phrase "duty to country".
A week after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Chas left the University of Oregon to join the Navy. But, the Navy insisted he use the name Charles instead of Chas and added quotation marks around his middle name - A.
In only nine months Chas received both his gold wings and his commission as an Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve.
When Chas and the men of the U.S.S. Barnes sailed out of San Diego's Naval Shipyard on June 7, 1943, they wondered if they would ever see the good old USA again.
In combat, Chas flew dive bombers and fighter bombers with Air Group Six off the U.S.S. Enterprise, U.S.S. Intrepid and U.S.S. Hancock. The officers and men of the air group nicknamed him "Ty".
During WWII, he saw action at Makin, Kwajalein, Roi, Truk, the Solomons, Marshalls, Philippines and Okinawa. He also made an impression on the residents of Honshu, Kyushu and Tokyo.
During the Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay, Chas flew his corsair over the battleship U.S.S. Missouri.
He was awarded thirteen medals and two ribbons for his service during WWII. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, 5 Air Medals for meritorious service while in flight, 5 Asiatic-Pacific campaign medals for fighting in five different combat theaters of the war, and 2 Navy Unit Commendation ribbons for being aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Hancock when those two carriers were under heavy Japanese attack. The American Campaign and Victory medals were also earned by him.
Right after transferring his commission to the United States Coast Guard Reserve in 1953, Chas was made the CO of the only multi-engine air group in the Coast Guard Reserve west of the Mississippi.
Soon afterward he was made the CO of the Coast Guard Reserve's first Air Sea Rescue Training Coordination Center.
Chas celebrated his sixtieth birthday on November 11, 1980. On that day he officially retired from the Coast Guard Reserve with the rank of Commander. His retirement marked the end of more than 38 years service to his country.
In 1981, Chas reentered the workforce by joining Southwest Petroleum Corporation (SWEPCO) as an independent sales representative. Later, at the age of 85, Chas was not only SWEPCO's oldest active salesman, but he was also SWEPCO's worldwide sales leader in lubricants. SWEPCO's monthly newsletter described Chas as a person who "continues to hit 'home runs' every time he steps up to the plate!!"
He passed away peacefully on June 11, 2017, with family members at his bedside. Before dying, one of his last wishes was for his family to see a military funeral with full honors.
On Monday, April 9, 2018, Chas' wish was fulfilled. The cherry blossoms were blooming when his ashes were laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. His son, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren attended his burial service along with some other members of his family.
Inscription
CHARLES A
TAYLOR
LT USN
CDR USCG
WORLD WAR II
1920-2017
DFC
BELOVED CHAS
On December 7, 1941, while Chas was attending the University of Oregon, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Chas was raised to respect the phrase "duty to country".
A week after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Chas left the University of Oregon to join the Navy. But, the Navy insisted he use the name Charles instead of Chas and added quotation marks around his middle name - A.
In only nine months Chas received both his gold wings and his commission as an Ensign in the U. S. Naval Reserve.
When Chas and the men of the U.S.S. Barnes sailed out of San Diego's Naval Shipyard on June 7, 1943, they wondered if they would ever see the good old USA again.
In combat, Chas flew dive bombers and fighter bombers with Air Group Six off the U.S.S. Enterprise, U.S.S. Intrepid and U.S.S. Hancock. The officers and men of the air group nicknamed him "Ty".
During WWII, he saw action at Makin, Kwajalein, Roi, Truk, the Solomons, Marshalls, Philippines and Okinawa. He also made an impression on the residents of Honshu, Kyushu and Tokyo.
During the Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay, Chas flew his corsair over the battleship U.S.S. Missouri.
He was awarded thirteen medals and two ribbons for his service during WWII. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, 5 Air Medals for meritorious service while in flight, 5 Asiatic-Pacific campaign medals for fighting in five different combat theaters of the war, and 2 Navy Unit Commendation ribbons for being aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Hancock when those two carriers were under heavy Japanese attack. The American Campaign and Victory medals were also earned by him.
Right after transferring his commission to the United States Coast Guard Reserve in 1953, Chas was made the CO of the only multi-engine air group in the Coast Guard Reserve west of the Mississippi.
Soon afterward he was made the CO of the Coast Guard Reserve's first Air Sea Rescue Training Coordination Center.
Chas celebrated his sixtieth birthday on November 11, 1980. On that day he officially retired from the Coast Guard Reserve with the rank of Commander. His retirement marked the end of more than 38 years service to his country.
In 1981, Chas reentered the workforce by joining Southwest Petroleum Corporation (SWEPCO) as an independent sales representative. Later, at the age of 85, Chas was not only SWEPCO's oldest active salesman, but he was also SWEPCO's worldwide sales leader in lubricants. SWEPCO's monthly newsletter described Chas as a person who "continues to hit 'home runs' every time he steps up to the plate!!"
He passed away peacefully on June 11, 2017, with family members at his bedside. Before dying, one of his last wishes was for his family to see a military funeral with full honors.
On Monday, April 9, 2018, Chas' wish was fulfilled. The cherry blossoms were blooming when his ashes were laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. His son, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren attended his burial service along with some other members of his family.
Inscription
CHARLES A
TAYLOR
LT USN
CDR USCG
WORLD WAR II
1920-2017
DFC
BELOVED CHAS