Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Clifton
Taggart
1912-07-03

–

1999-02-07

Born:

Louisville

, 

Kentucky

Home:

Abilene

, 

Texas

Buried: 

Denver

, 

Colorado

Cemetery:

Fort Logan National Cemetery

The son and grandson of ministers, William Taggart grew up in Abilene, Texas, literally in the shadows of Hardin-Simmons University (H-SU). First, however, he entered another college for two years, and then spent a year at the Arizona State Teacher’s College, before enrolling at H-SU in 1937, where he graduated the following year. After post-graduate work at a seminary, he was ordained a Southern Baptist minister and pastored a congregation in Wichita Falls, Texas. He left his parish to enlist in the Army Air Forces prior to World War II, and was on a ship en route to the Pacific Theater of Operations when war began on December 7, 1941. After serving at Java, he was evacuated to Australia where he continued his ministry to troops of all branches of service and of all denominations. On one occasion when a bomber of his command was shot down, he arranged to have a Jewish prayer book flown to him so that, in the absence of a Jewish chaplain, he could pray for two members of that crew who were of the Jewish faith.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps), [then First Lieutenant]

    Regiment:

    19th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 27, 1942
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 58 (December 31, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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), [then First Lieutenant] William Clifton Taggart (ASN: 0-419644), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), FIFTH Air Force, in operations between Djockjakarta and Djilatjap, Java on 27 February 1942. While troops were being evacuated from Djockjakarta, Chaplain Taggart rendered valuable service in keeping together a seventy-five vehicle convoy traveling at night over unknown roads under strict blackout conditions. His efforts kept the convoy from becoming separated or lost and falling into enemy hands. A few days later, while en route to Australia from Java, Chaplain Taggart assisted in driving off an enemy reconnaissance plane which attempted to strafe the ship. Instead of taking cover, he supplied ammunition to the men operating the machine guns. Later he helped to care for sailors wounded in the Battle of Macassar Straits. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Taggart, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.