Lawrence Coburn Taylor
Second Lieutenant Lawrence C. “Red” Taylor was a Marine fighter pilot who flew with VMF-212.
He was reported missing in action after a dogfight over Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 August 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-7513
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 12, 1920
in Santa Ana, CA
Parents
Lawrence Henry Taylor
Lewella (Coburn) Taylor
Education
Piedmont High School (1938)
UC Berkeley (ex-1942)
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
January 14, 1941 (enlisted)
December 1, 1941 (commissioned)
Home Of Record
888 Paramount Road
Oakland, CA
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Lawrence Taylor
Military Specialty
Fighter Pilot
Individual Decorations
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Charles “Red” Taylor was one of eight VMF-212 “Hell Hounds” assigned to temporary aviation duty with the amalgam Cactus Air Force out of Guadalcanal. He arrived at Henderson Field on 20 August 1942, and flew under the command of VMF-223.
On 24 August, every available plane was scrambled to intercept a large Japanese bombing raid – but the engine of Taylor’s Wildcat (BuNo 02084) failed to start. “Red” jumped out of the cockpit, made the necessary repairs, and took off alone. He arrived at the climax of the dogfight, and joined 2Lt. Cloyd “Rex” Jeans in knocking down a bomber. The victory was short-lived; a Zero from the Japanese fighter escort shot Taylor down in turn, and his aircraft was last seen falling out of control. No parachute was observed.
“Red” Taylor was declared dead on 25 August 1943. For “superb airmanship and dauntless courage under extremely adverse conditions” in his first and only combat flight, he was awarded a posthumous Silver Star Medal.
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Lawrence C. Taylor (MCSN: 0-7513), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-THREE (VMF-223), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 24 August 1942. Prevented by a faulty engine from taking off with his flight to attack a hostile force of greatly superior strength, Second Lieutenant Taylor skillfully effected hasty repairs and at the first opportunity took off alone to join his comrades in the action. Although it was his first combat flight and he was entirely unfamiliar with the area, his superb airmanship and dauntless courage under extremely adverse conditions enabled him to destroy one heavy bomber before his own plane was shot down. Second Lieutenant Taylor’s exemplary conduct and unswerving devotion to duty were an inspiration to the members of his squadron and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Burial Information or Disposition
Remains not recovered.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
The USS Lawrence C. Taylor (DE-415) was named in his honor.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Lawrence H. Taylor.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Taylor was shot down after taking off from Henderson Field. The exact location of his crash is not known.
