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Thomas
Hart
Taylor
September 30, 1915

–

June 11, 1983

Thomas Hart graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1940. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Division:

    U.S.S. Wasp (CV-7)

    Action Date:

    September 15, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 315 (June 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Thomas Hart Taylor, United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a boat officer during rescue operations in the Pacific area after the torpedoing of the U.S.S. WASP (CV-7) by Japanese forces on 15 September 1942. He maneuvered his small boat through the debris-littered sea, which was covered with flaming oil, and worked unceasingly to rescue survivors from the stricken carrier. Knowing that quantities of gasoline stored on the WASP might explode at any moment, he nevertheless took his boat under the starboard bow of the flaming carrier and rescued personnel isolated in the forward gun galleys and on the flight deck and trapped by fire and exploding ammunition. Although menaced by bursting shells, he kept on with his work of rescue.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Division:

    U.S.S. Nevada (BB-36)

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1941

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Thomas Hart Taylor, United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Having assumed control of the port anti-aircraft battery of the U.S.S. NEVADA, Ensign Taylor continued to direct efficiently that battery throughout the attack, although wounded by shell fragments, burned and deafened due to broken eardrums. His presence of mind in playing a hose on the ready ammunition boxes that were becoming very hot, due to the proximity of fires, prevented casualties and heavy damage to the battery. The conduct of Ensign Taylor throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.