Beacher Franklin Taylor was born on 14 May 1917, the son of J. Frank Taylor and Cora Kelsay. Husband of Beatrice Taylor.
Died 18 September 1944
On the 18th of September 1944 the Battalion landed by glider with the more powerful M-3 105mm howitzers in the vicinity of Groesbeek, Holland near the German border. Most of the 319 gliders landed near the two designated landing zones – LZ “T” and LZ “N” starting at 1445 hours and , two and half hours later , the two firing batteries were set up and had already started firing on German positions in and around the Nijmegen bridge area. All landings occurred under heavy German artillery and mortar fire however only 12 casualties were suffered on landing. Although no deaths occurred at the landing zone itself, one glider with HQ battery enlisted men and one officer was shot down over Holland and all the men aboard were assumed to be killed in action or missing in action, no details were ever provided in the official unit journal. At least two other 319GFAB gliders landed beyond the German border and most of the men were either killed or taken prisoners by the Germans, only one officer made it back to the battalion CP.
Private First Class
319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion
PFC Taylor was initially buried at the Cemetery at Molenhoek near Nijmegen, Holland. Buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery, TN, Y, 527.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 14 May 1917
- Date of death: 18 September 1944
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Battery A
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Market Garden
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Bottom Panel
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