The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Edmund Battelle Taylor (NSN: 0-59453), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. DUNCAN (DD-485), during action against enemy Japanese naval forces off Savo Island during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of 11 – 12 October 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. His gallant leadership and courageous conduct under fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear Admiral [then Vice Admiral]Action Date:
February 1960 – November 1963
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral [then Vice Admiral] Edmund Battelle Taylor (NSN: 0-59453), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from February 1960 to November 1963 as Commander Antisubmarine Warfare Forces, United States Atlantic Fleet. During the Cuban Missile crisis of October 1962, Rear Admiral Taylor reacted quickly and positively to establish surveillance of Soviet/Bloc activity in the Caribbean Area. Utilizing ship and airborne detection equipment, his forces successfully maintained surveillance of all Soviet/Bloc vessels in the entire Atlantic Area while continuing to provide ASW protection to the quarantine forces. The effectiveness of his units provided an extremely formidable deterrent to the clandestine use of submarines against the blockade forces. Rear Admiral Taylor was particularly effective in establishing efficient, cordial and very effective command relationships with our Canadian Allies to the end that our total ASW forces may now complement each other and function as one force. His inspiring leadership, professional competence, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
November 12, 1963 – April 30, 1966
Board Serial 1514 (Mary 11, 1966)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Edmund Battelle Taylor (NSN: 0-59453), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commandant FIFTH Naval District and Commander U.S. Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, during the period 12 November 1963 to 30 April 1966. A dynamic leader and administrator, Rear Admiral Taylor ensured that the efforts of the shore activities were at all times channeled toward maximum assistance to the operating forces, thereby enabling them to meet their many and varied operational commitments in defense of the United States and the Free World. Contributing significantly to the growth, training, leadership and increased readiness of the Naval Reserve within the FIFTH Naval District, he substantially enhanced the morale and welfare of Navy personnel and their dependents by vigorous protection of their rights and benefits and by greatly increasing recreational facilities throughout the Tidewater area. Through his exceptional professional competence and consummate grasp of the issues of the day, Rear Admiral Taylor has made an immeasurable contribution to the prestige of the Navy among officials and private citizens alike throughout the Fifth Naval District, and has rendered invaluable assistance to the Commander in Chief United States Atlantic Fleet. His distinguished service was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Edmund Battelle Taylor (NSN: 0-59453), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander, Destroyer Squadron FORTY-FIVE, with Flag in the U.S.S. FULLAM, during operations against the enemy Japanese Fleet in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19 – 20 June 1944. Maneuvering his squadron as the destroyer screen for Task Group FIFTY-EIGHT POINT SEVEN, the spearhead of the five Task Groups comprising Task Force FIFTY-EIGHT, Captain Taylor constantly deployed the ships of his divisions for maximum protection of the fast battleships and cruisers menaced by wave after wave of enemy torpedo bombers. Under his able direction, the screening force, bearing the brunt of vicious aerial attacks, succeeded in scattering the oncoming Japanese formations, blasting and driving off torpedo planes headed for major ships of the Task Group while delivering uninterrupted defensive fire against plunging dive bombers concentrating on the destroyers, with the result that the enemy sustained overwhelming carrier-plane losses as compared with but minor damage to a small number of our ships. Courageous, forceful and unwavering in his devotion to duty, Captain Taylor conducted the operations of his Command with brilliant tactical skill throughout this historic battle, thereby contributing to the crushing defeat of the enemy and to the strategic protection of the concurrent Saipan Operation from hostile interference. His unfaltering leadership in the face of tremendous opposition upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderAction Date:
November 1, 1943 – December 31, 1943
Commander South Pacific: Serial 001516 (June 29, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Edmund Battelle Taylor (NSN: 0-59453), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Destroyer Division operating in the South Pacific Area from 1 November 1943 to 31 December 1943. During this period, Commander Taylor’s division escorted troop transports to Bougainville, conducted a damaging bombardment of enemy shore installations and repelled two heavy aerial attacks upon the task force. His superior seamanship and sound judgment were directly responsible for the success of each engagement. His brilliant leadership throughout an intensive period of warfare contributed materially to our success in the Bougainville campaign and to the defeat of the enemy in the South Pacific theater. His courageous conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Taylor is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)