Robert Taylor received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University, Waco, Texas, in 1933; a Master of Theology degree from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, in 1936; and a Doctor of Theology degree from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in 1939. He was ordained a Baptist minister and pastored the South Fort Worth (Texas) Baptist Church until 1940, when he entered military service and was commissioned a U.S. Army Chaplain. After a brief assignment at Barksdale Field, Louisiana, he deployed to the Philippine Islands in May 1941 as chaplain to the 31st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division. He was captured after the fall of the Philippine Islands in April/May 1942, and spent 42 months in Japanese prisoner of war camps. After World War II he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. From 1962 to 1966 he served as the THIRD U.S. Air Force Chief of Chaplains He retired in 1966 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
31st Infantry RegimentDivision:
Philippine DivisionAction Date:
January 24 – 25, 1942
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Robert Preston Taylor (ASN: 0-384411), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Regimental Chaplain of the 31st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division, in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, while on patrol duty on the night of 24 – 25 January 1942, near Abucay, Bataan, Philippine Islands. While his regiment was fighting a withdrawal action from the Abucay Hacienda position, Chaplain Taylor kept his patrol in enemy territory and brought back to the regimental aid station many men who were wounded in the action. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain)Division:
Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)Action Date:
April 1942 – 1945
First Lieutenant (Chaplain) Robert Preston Taylor, United States Army, was captured by Japanese forces after the fall of Bataan in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control in 1945.