THE WALL OF FACES

RADM Rembrandt C. Robinson was Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla 11 and Commander Seventh Fleet Cruisers and Destroyers. At approximately 2245 hours on May 8, 1972, he was a passenger on a U.S. Navy SH-3G Sea King helicopter (#149699), call sign Mustang Angel Five, attempting to make a nighttime landing to the fantail of the light cruiser USS Providence (CLG-6). The Sea King suffered an engine failure, causing the copter’s right wheel to snag in the off-deck safety net. The helicopter then toppled overboard and impacted the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Crewmen escaped after it settled into the sea, but the admiral and two of his staff officers, CDR John M. Leaver and CAPT Edmund B. Taylor Jr., were killed in the incident. CDR Leaver and CAPT Taylor were unaccounted for and presumed trapped in the wreckage when it sank. An extensive search resulted in the recovery of the body of RADM Robinson. Five other persons aboard the aircraft were picked up safely by rescue units. A briefcase containing operational materials was the only personal item recovered. The search was conducted under ideal weather conditions, but no evidence of the two missing passengers was found. Robinson was the only admiral killed during the Vietnam War. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Navy War Role Expanded.” Navy Times, May 24, 1972]

MY POW-MIA FLAG IS DISPLAYED 24-7 IN REMEMBRANCE OF ALLTHE LOST WARRIORS!!!!

BIOGRAPHY OF

VICE ADMIRAL

EDMUND BATTELLE TAYLOR SR

Edmund Battelle ' Whitey ' Taylor was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 4 April 1904, but spent his childhood in Ohio, from which state he was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1921.

As a Midshipman he excelled in athletics, being a member of the Varsity Football Team (and its Captain in 1924), the Varsity Lacrosse Team (All-American, 1924-25), and the Basketball and Boxing Squads.

Graduated on 4 June 1925, he subsequently had sea duty in the Battleships New York, Texas and Wyoming and the destroyers Hatfield, Leary and Perry, interspersed with assignments to the Naval Academy as Assistant Football Coach, Assistant Lacrosse Coach, and Instructor in Ordnance and Gunnery.

Duty as Aide and Flag Lieutenant on the Staff of Commander Destroyers, Battle Force, and in the Officer Personnel Division of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, preceded his World War II service in command of the Destroyer Duncan.

That vessel, under his command, rescued survivors of the USS Wasp and was later lost from severe damage received while launching a successful torpedo attack against the Japanese cruiser Furutaka.

For extraordinary heroism in that command, he was awarded the Navy Cross, and received a Letter of Commendation from the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet.

He was Commanding Officer of the USS Bennett when that destroyer, while on her shakedown cruise to the Caribbean early in 1943, rescued survivors of a torpedoed merchant ship.

After his detachment in July 1943, he had successive command of Destroyer Division 90 and Destroyer Squadron 45 in the South and Central Pacific areas.

The Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medals were awarded to him for outstanding services in command of Destroyer Division 90 at Empress Augusta Bay and in the Bismarck Archipelago area; and the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry as Commander Destroyer Squadron 45 in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea.

During the last eight months of the war he served as Aide to Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, and in May 1946 returned to the Naval Academy as Head of the Department of Physical Training and Director of Athletics.

In July 1948 he went to sea as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations to the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, and remained afloat from January 1950 to January 1951 as Commanding Officer of the USS Salem.

He again served in the Navy Department, first in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, later as Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Navy, and when promoted to Flag Rank in 1952, he returned to sea in command of a Destroyer Flotilla of the Atlantic Fleet.

He had eighteen months' service as Commander US Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prior to his assignment in August 1955 as the Navy's Chief of Information.

On 18 January 1958 he assumed command of a Destroyer Force, US Atlantic Fleet and on 31 January 1960 became Commander Antisubmarine Defense Force, Atlantic Fleet (later redesignated Antisubmarine Warfare Force, Atlantic) in the rank of Vice Admiral.

[Cuban Missile Crisis] 'For exceptionally meritorious conduct...' in that capacity from February 1960 to November 1963 he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Legion of Merit.

On 11 December 1963 he received his permanent rank of Rear Admiral upon reporting as Commandant of the Fifth Naval District, and Commander US Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, and for 'exceptionally meritorious service...' in that assignment was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

On 1 May 1966 he was transferred to the Retired List of the US Navy and was advanced to Vice Admiral (the highest rank he held while active duty).

Vice Admiral Edmund Battelle Taylor died on 30 April 1973.

Personal Data:

Date and place of birth: 4 April 1904, Chicago Illinois, spent childhood in Ohio.

Parents: Edmund Blanton and Rebecca Attwood (Battelle) Taylor.

Wife's name and date of marriage:

Elizabeth Fay Valiant of Wardour, Annapolis, Maryland, 1 September 1926.

Children: 1 daughter and 1 son.

Education: Central High School, Lima, Ohio;

US Naval Academy, 4 June 1925.

Decorations and Medals:

Navy Cross

Distinguished Service Medal

Silver Star Medal

Legion of Merit (Combat 'V')

Gold Star in lieu of the Second Legion of Merit

Bronze Star Medal (Combat 'V')

Purple Heart Medal

Letter of Commendation (Ribbon)

American Defense Service Medal

American Campaign Medal

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1 silver star, 4 bronze stars)

World War II Victory Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Philippine Liberation Ribbon

Promotions:

Ensign, 4 June 1925

Lieutenant (jg), 4 June 1928

Lieutenant, 1 August 1934

Lieutenant Commander, 1 July 1939

Commander, 1 August 1942

Captain, 20 May 1943

Rear Admiral, 1 September 1952

Vice Admiral (T), 30 December 1959 to 6 November 1963

Transferred to the Retired List of US Navy

and advanced to rank of Vice Admiral

(the highest rank held on active duty) 1 May 1966

Chronological Transcript of Naval Service:

June 1925 - August 1926 USS New York

August 1926 - December 1926 Naval Academy (Assistant Football Coach

1927 - April 1929 USS Wyoming

April 1929 - January 1931 USS Hatfield

January 1931 - June 1932 USS Leary

June 1932 - May 1945 Naval Academy (Instructor, Department of Ordnance and Gunnery) Also Assistant Football Coach 1933; Assistant Coach Lacrosse Team 1933, 1934, 1935; Officer representative of Lacrosse 1939

June 1935 - December 1936 USS Philip (Executive Officer)

December 1936 - June 1937 USS Perry (Executive Officer)

June 1937 - May 1939 Staff, Commander Destroyers, Battle Force (USS Detroit) Aide and Flag Lieutenant

June 1939 - February 1942 Bureau of Navigation (later Bureau of Personnel), Records Section, Officer Personnel Division

February 1942 Fleet Sound School, Key West, Florida (instruction)

February 1942 - November 1942 USS Duncan Commanding Officer (commissioned 16 April 1942)

January 1943 - August 1943 USS Bennett Commanding Officer (commissioned 9 February 1943)

August 1943 - May 1944 Destroyer Division 90 Commander USS Anthony

May 1944 - November 1944 Destroyer Squadron 45 Commander USS Fullam & Hudson

December 1944 - May 1946 Aide to Secretary of Navy, Navy Department

June 1946 - June 1948 Naval Academy, Head, Department of Physical Training, Director of Athletics

August 1948 - January 1950 Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations

February 1950 - January 1951 USS Salem Commanding Officer

February 1951 - December 1951 Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Department, (Personnel Planning)

January 1952 - February 1953 Assistant to Under Secretary of Navy, Navy Department

February 1953 - February 1954 Destroyer Flotilla 2 Commander

February 1954 - September 1955 Naval base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Commander

September 1955 - December 1957 Chief of Information, Navy Department

January 1958 - December 1959 Commander Destroyer Force, US Atlantic Fleet

January 1960 - November 1963 Commander Antisubmarine Defense Force, Atlantic Fleet (Later redesignated Antisubmarine Warfare Force, Atlantic)

December 1963 - April 1966 Commandant, Fifth Naval District, Norfolk, Virginia

1 May 1966 Retired

Citations:

Navy Cross:

'For extraordinary heroism...during action against enemy Japanese naval forces off Savo Island on October 11, 1942. Although his ship had sustained heavy damage under hostile bombardment, Lieutenant Commander Taylor, by skillful maneuvering, successfully launched torpedoes which contributed to the destruction of a Japanese cruiser. Maintaining the guns of the Duncan in effective fire throughout the battle, he, when the vessel was finally put out of action, persistently employed to the fullest extent all possible measures to extinguish raging fires and control severe damage...'

Distinguished Service Medal:

'For exceptionally meritorious service...as Commandant Fifth Naval District and Commander U.S. Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, during the period November 12, 1963 to April 30, 1966, command relationship with our Canadian Allies to the end that our total ASW forces may now complement each other and function as one force...'

Bronze Star Medal:

'For meritorious service in action against the enemy...operating in the Bismarck Archipelago area on the night of February 24-25 1944. Commander Taylor led his ships deep into enemy held waters in a harassing night raid and bombardment of Japanese installations in the vicinity of Rabaul. Despite known enemy shore batteries and possible mine fields, he directed the attack at close range, which resulted in severe damage to supply areas and ammunition dumps. Due to his excellent seamanship and skillful execution of the attack, no damage was inflicted on any of his ships...'

Letter of Commendation:

'For meritorious action and distinguished service...during the operations subsequent to the loss of the USS Wasp. His fine judgment in seamanship made possible the successful rescue of many officers and men in an area where enemy submarines were actively present...'

Source: Adapted from the biographical sketch for Vice Admiral Edmund B. Taylor, Navy Biography, Navy Office of Information, Internal Relations Division, (OI-430), 17 July 1966; now part of the Modern Biography Files, Navy Department Library, Naval History & Heritage Command.

CAPTAIN

EDMUND BATTELLE TAYLOR JR.

Captain Edmund Battelle Taylor, Jr., United States Navy, at age 41, was Chief of Staff, Commander Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla 11 and Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force Vietnam (CTF 75).

Captain Taylor was killed in a helicopter crash while returning to the flagship USS Providence (CLG-6) on 8 May 1972 while coordinating the cruiser destroyer attack on the Do Son Peninsula scheduled for 8-10 May 1972.

Also killed in the crash were Rear Admiral Rembrandt Cecil Robinson and Commander John Murray Leaver, Jr.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Captain Taylor attended high schools in Maryland and Virginia.

Following high school he attended the University of Hawaii and the United States Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1953.

Captain Taylor was the son of Vice Admiral E. B. (Whitey) Taylor, USN (RET) and Mrs. Taylor of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Vice Admiral Taylor was a 1925 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Captain Taylor began his naval Career aboard USS MACON (CA-132) where he served as CIC Division Officer and 5”38 battery officer.

As a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) he was the Gunnery Officer and later the Operations Officer of the destroyer USS BEALE (DDE-471).

Completing his tour in BEALE in 1956, Lieutenant Taylor next served as Aide and Flag Secretary to Commander Cruiser Division TWO.

Departing Norfolk, Virginia in later 1958, Lieutenant Taylor reported to the U.S. Naval Ordnance Missile Test Facility, White Sands, New Mexico and assumed the duties of Fire Control Officer for the Talos Missile Project.

In the Spring of 1961 Lieutenant Taylor was the Weapons Officer in the commissioning crew of the Mayport, Florida homeported guided missile frigate USS LUCE (DLG-7) where he served until ordered to Norfolk once more as Executive Officer of USS SAMPSON (DDG-10).

In mid 1965, as a Lieutenant Commander, he began a two year tour in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and became the Assistant Head of the Special Weapons Branch, Strategic Plans Division.

For his work in Nuclear Weapons development Lieutenant Commander Taylor was awarded the Secretary of the Navy Achievement Medal.

He was promoted to the rank of Commander in April 1966, and in July departed Washington to attend the Resident Naval Warfare Course at the Naval War College.

Commander Taylor assumed command of the guided missile destroyer USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22) on 21 July 1967, in the Gulf of Tonkin while the ship was employed in “Operation Sea Dragon.”

Commander Taylor was relieved in October 1969. Captain Taylor reported to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group ELEVEN as Chief of Staff to Rear Admiral Robinson in 1971.

Captain Taylor was married to the late Joan Pefley Taylor, daughter of Brigadier General A. R. Pefley, USMC (RET) and Mrs. Pefley of Fall Church, Virginia.

He is survived by four children, Stephen D., Edmund B. (Ted) III, Cynthia R. and Leslie V. Taylor.

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE

R E M E M B R A N C E

Dear Captain Edmund Battelle Taylor Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter