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USS TAYLOR (DD-468 / DDE-468)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NEXA

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign (circa 1968) - CHART ROOM

CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 4 x 40mm, 6 x 20mm AA, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; Westinghouse Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Bath Iron Works, Bath Me. August 28 1941.
Launched June 7 1942 and commissioned August 28 1942.
Decommissioned May 31 1946 and recommissioned December 3 1951.
Reclassified DDE-468 January 2 1951, Reverted To DD-468 June 30 1962.
Decommissioned June 3 1969.
Stricken July 2 1969.
To Italy July 2 1969, renamed Lanciere.
Fate Stricken in 1971 and cannibalized to provide spare parts for her sisters in Italian service.

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Taylor 69kWilliam Rogers Taylor was born in Rhode Island on 7 November 1811. He was appointed as a U.S. Navy Midshipman in 1828, served in the sloops of war Saint Louis and Peacock during the next decade, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1840. He next had coast survey duty, then was an officer of the sloop of war Saint Mary's during the Mexican War, when he also served in the Naval Battery during the siege of Vera Cruz. In 1848-49 he was assigned to the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, then to the sloop of war Albany. For eight years, beginning in 1853, he primarily served in the field of naval ordnance. In 1855, he received promotion to Commander. Promoted to the rank of Captain in July 1862, he commanded the steam sloop Housatonic during the next several months. In 1863, he was Fleet Captain of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In that role, he participated in attacks on Confederate fortifications protecting Charleston, South Carolina. Captain Taylor commanded the steam sloop Juniata during 1864-65 and took part in the operations that led to the capture of Fort Fisher, North Carolina. In 1866, a year after the end of the Civil War, Taylor was advanced to the rank of Commodore. For the next five years, he had further ordnance duty and commanded the Northern squadron of the Pacific Fleet. He reached the rank of Rear Admiral in early 1871 and spent his final active duty period as President of the Board of Examiners. Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor was placed on the Retired List in November 1873. He died at Washington, D.C., on 14 April 1889. Photo #: NH 43964. Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor, USN, Photographed in 1871 by Edouart & Cobb, San Francisco, California. The original print is mounted on a Carte de Visite. Donation of Mr. George R. Babcock, from the collection of his father, Surgeon H.P. Babcock, USN, 1939. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Bill Gonyo
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP TAYLOR

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Solomons Campaign, March 15 to October 7, 1943. Frequently traversing unfamiliar waters deep in enemy territory at night, the U.S.S. TAYLOR operated effectively in support of offensive operations during this period of intensive hostilities, providing escort for troop transport convoys, minelayers, supply and evacuation units, and serving in an anti-submarine screen in the Guadalcanal area. On March 15, she proceeded into Kula Gulf to launch the first of several bombardments against enemy installations in the New Georgia area, and on April 7, fought her guns gallantly against a large force of hostile air raiders, destroying three Japanese planes before returning to her escort missions. While screening landing operations in Kula Gulf, New Georgia Island, during the early morning hours of July 12, the TAYLOR obtained a radar and visual contact on a surfaced enemy submarine and, by her accurate gunfire and depth charges, sank the Japanese submarine I-25. Proceeding with the Task Force to intercept Japanese forces on three occasions, she coordinated with other destroyers in the van to launch torpedo attacks and engage the enemy with guns in perilous surface engagements which resulted in the destruction of several enemy ships and numerous barges and the damaging of others. Retiring unscathed from these various missions, the U.S.S. TAYLOR, by her own combat readiness and the steadfast devotion to duty of her entire ship’s company, contributed directly to the success of numerous escort, rescue and bombardment operations and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
All personnel attached to and serving on board the U.S.S. TAYLOR from March 15 to October 7, 1943, are authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION RIBBON.

Francis P. Matthews
Secretary of the Navy
Taylor 82kArtist's conception of the Taylor as she appeared after original construction by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Taylor 78kArtist's conception of a cutaway view of the Taylor by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Taylor 51kUndated, location unknown.-
Taylor 90kUndated, location unknown.Randy Kimes
English 190kUndated, location unknown. The destroyer USS English (DD 696) comes alongside the destroyer USS Taylor (DD 468) to deliver the mail. Photo courtesy of the USS Taylor (DD 468) Association.Bill Gonyo
Taylor 86kUndated, USS Chevalier (DD-451) and USS Taylor (DD-468) underway in Pacific waters. Photo and text from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe.Robert Hurst
Taylor 74kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Taylor 85k(L-R) USS DeHaven (DD-469) and USS Taylor (DD-468) under construction at Bath, Maine on October 1 1941.Gerd Matthes
Taylor 78kBath Iron Works, August 27 1942.Pieter Bakels
Taylor 67kBath Iron Works, August 27 1942.Pieter Bakels
Taylor 177kBath Iron Works, August 27 1942.Ed Zajkowski
Taylor 121kUSS Taylor in shakedown exercises with USS Doran (DD-634), September 1942 (probably off Casco Bay, Maine during the last week of that month). These show Taylor's earliest configuration. LIFE Magazine Archives, original photographer Thomas McAvoy. For educational and non-commercial use.John Chiquoine
Taylor 89kDestroyer Squadron Twenty-One. Three of the squadron's ships underway in the Solomon Islands, 15 August 1943. The ships are (from front to rear): USS O'Bannon (DD-450), USS Chevalier (DD-451) and USS Taylor (DD-468). Photographed from USS Nicholas (DD-449), while the ships were enroute to the landings at Vella Lavella, which took place on the same day. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Fred Weiss
Taylor 106kDestroyer Squadron Twenty-One. Three of the squadron's ships steaming in column, while en route to Guadalcanal and Tulagi on 15 August 1943, following the Vella Lavella landings. Photographed from USS Nicholas (DD-449). The ships seen are(from right to left): USS O'Bannon (DD-450), USS Chevalier (DD-451) and USS Taylor (DD-468). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Fred Weiss
Taylor 142kNavy Photo 529-44, aft plan view of the USS Taylor (DD 468) in San Francisco on 20 Jan 1944. The USS Bellatrix (AKA 3) is berthed to the left on the next pier and unidentified oiler to the right.Darryl Baker
Taylor 137kNavy Photo 530-44, amidships looking aft plan view of the USS Taylor (DD 468) in San Francisco on 20 Jan 1944. The USS Kimberly (DD 521) is at the opposite pier with an unidentified oiler to the on opposite side of Kimberly.Darryl Baker
Taylor 137kNavy Photo 531-44, forward plan view of the USS Taylor (DD 468) in San Francisco on 20 Jan 1944. The USS Bellatrix (AKA 3) is berthed at the opposite pier.Darryl Baker
Taylor 54kNavy Photo 637-44, stern view of the USS Taylor (DD 468) off San Francisco on 26 Jan 1944.Darryl Baker
Taylor 80kNavy Photo 639-44, broadside view of the USS Taylor (DD 468) off San Francisco on 26 Jan 1944.Darryl Baker
Taylor 51kNavy Photo 641-44, bow on view of the USS Taylor (DD 468) off San Francisco on 26 Jan 1944 with the Oakland Bay Bridge in the background.Darryl Baker
Taylor 42kUSS Taylor (DD-468) in San Francisco Bay after modifications, 26 January 1944. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration photo # 80-G-1038542.Robert Hurst
Taylor 234kUSS Taylor in her camo pattern is framed in the distance pulling away from unrep activity with USS Schuylkill and USS Denver, 12 January 1945. These ships were operating in TG77.3 in the South China Sea.John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder
Taylor 49k80G445884. San Francisco Navy Yard, December 12 1951.Pieter Bakels
Taylor 50k80G445885. San Francisco Navy Yard, December 12 1951.Pieter Bakels
Taylor 73kAlongside an unidentified carrier, 1953.Dave Wright
Taylor 63kOur Navy Magazine, 1 March 1957.Stanley Svec
Taylor 55kYokosuka Japan 1960John Kerslake
Taylor

Taylor
314k




273k
Yokosuka, October 7 1961, with the Taylor and 10 other destroyers being serviced by the USS Piedmont (AD-17)Ed Zajkowski
Taylor 123kUSS Taylor (DD-468) underway circa 1963, location unknown. Photo U.S. Navy Official, courtesy the C.O. USS Taylor from the 1964-65 Edition of Jane's Fighting Ships.Robert Hurst
Taylor 125kUSS Taylor (DD-468) underway Off Oahu, Hawaii on 8 March 1963. Though redesignated a destroyer (DD) in 1962, Taylor retains the antisubmarine destroyer (DDE) configuration she received in the early 1950s. Photographer: PH2 N.R. Unger. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo #: NH 107297Robert Hurst
Taylor 169kFour of USS Hornet's task group on the way to WESTPAC in April 1967 off Pear Harbor. Left to right: USS Hopper (DE 1026), USS Taylor (DD 468), USS Davidson (DE 1045) and USS Bronstein (DE 1037). Photo taken by Darryl from USS Evans (DE 1023) port side, USS Bridget (DE 1024) and USS Walker (DD 517) would have been to Evans' starboard side.Darryl Baker
Taylor 183kSan Diego, September 1969, USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786), USS Bausell (DD-845), USS Boyd (DD-544), USS Taylor (DD-468), USS Walker (DD517) and USS Uhlmann (DD-687) alonside USS Dixie (AD-14). Photo by PH2 Borchers.Ed Zajkowski
Taylor 62kAlongside Walker DD-517, Pearl Harbor, May 16 1969© Richard Leonhardt
Taylor 62kShip's patchMike Smolinski
Taylor 47kShip's patchMike Smolinski
On Italian Service
Walker 143kFormer USS Walker (DD-517) as D-561 and Former USS Taylor (DD-468) as D-560 in La Spezia October 5 1969.Carlo Martinelli
Taylor 86kLanciere (D560, ex-USS Taylor) underway in 1970, location unknown. Italian Navy, Official.Robert Hurst
Taylor 171kAt Vado Ligure (Savona-Liguria) on June 21 1977.Carlo Martinelli
Taylor 204kAt Vado Ligure (Savona-Liguria) on November 1 1977.Carlo Martinelli

USS TAYLOR DD-468 / DDE-468 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves


LCDR Benjamin Jacob Katz    Aug 28 1942 - Jan 16 1944 (Later RADM)

CDR Nickolas John Frederick Frank Sr.    Jan 16 1944 - Feb 6 1945 (Later RADM)

CDR Henry Howard DeLauréal    Feb 6 1945 - May 31 1946

(Decommissioned May 31 1946 - Dec 3 1951)

CDR Sheldon Hoard Kinney    Dec 3 1951 - Dec 1952 (Later RADM)

CDR Robert Waring McNitt    Dec 17 1952 - Oct 2 1954 (Later RADM)

CDR Carl Carmichael    Oct 2 1954 - Dec 19 1956

CDR Charles M. Nelson    Dec 19 1956 - Jun 28 1958

CDR John Roderick Mackie    Jun 28 1958 - Aug 20 1960

CDR Richard Joseph Coad    Aug 20 1960 - Mar 9 1962

CDR Merwin Edward Rasmussen    Mar 9 1962 - Aug 23 1963

CDR Henry Joseph Racette Jr.    Aug 23 1963 - Jul 25 1965

CDR John Francis Matejceck    Jul 25 1965 - Mar 18 1967

CDR James Dewey Taylor Jr.    Mar 18 1967 - Mar 4 1969

CDR John Barton Hurd    Mar 4 1969 - Jul 2 1969


Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Otto Zipf
Address: 11020 Winding Brook Court, Manassas, VA 20111
Phone: (703)257-5474
E-mail: pozipf@earthlink.net
Next reunion: Portland, ME, 16-20 October 2008

Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Taylor website
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 21 December 2017