Louis Robert “Bob” Taylor was the son of James Monroe Taylor and Bunia Beulah Vista Story.
He was assigned to the 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3rd Air Rescue Group, 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing, 7th Air Force, United States Air Force. They were stationed at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Louis worked as a Helicopter Maintainer, primarily on the Kaman HH-43 Huskie Helicopter and held the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-5).
He was on temporary duty at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam on 6 December 1972 when he was killed in action during a rocket attack. He was 37 years old. Louis was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medals.
Louis was married and had three children
Military Data
Unit 56th ARRS, 3rd Air Rescue Group , 7th Air Force
Casualty Data
Incident Date 6 December 1972
Casualty Date 6 December 1972
Age at Loss 37
Location Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam
Remains Body recovered
Casualty Type Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason Ground casualty
Casualty Detail Artillery, rocket, or mortar
Vietnam Wall Panel 01W Line 094
The Johnson City Press, Thursday 7 December 1972
A United States Air Force Staff Sergeant from Johnson City was killed in action Tuesday in South , Vietnam when the base where he was stationed came under rocket attack. Sgt. Louis R. Taylor, 1603 St. Louis St., was killed after being struck by shrapnel at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, when the base came under rocket attack Tuesday. Sgt. Taylor was working on a helicopter when the attack occurred. Sgt. Taylor had been in Vietnam since October of this year. Sgt. Taylor, a native of Washington County, had served with the U.S. Army for 12 years. He had spent the past six years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the Noncommissioned Officers Association and had received his master instructor’s degree in helicopter maintenance. He was the son of the late Monroe Taylor. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Molly C. Taylor, of the home; two sons, James and Timothy; and one daughter Teresa, all of the home; his mother, Mrs. Bunia Story Hudson, N.C.; five sisters, Mrs. Barbara Tilley, Marietta, S.C., Mrs. Ann Sanders, Mrs. Kate Darnell and Mrs. Helen Anders, all of Hudson, N.C. and Mrs. Kathlene Perkins, Lenoir, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. The body will be returned to Johnson City for services and burial.
Photo from Allen D. Jackson, USAF (Ret)
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 20 November 1935
- Date of death: 6 December 1972
- County: Washington
- Hometown: Johnson City
- Service Branch: Air Force
- Division/Assignment: 3rd Air Rescue Group , 7th Air Force
- Conflict: Vietnam
- Awards: Purple Heart, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Burial/Memorial Location: Roselawn Memorial Park, Johnson City, Washington County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XXIV, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Louis R. Taylor
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