Leonard Taylor of Wappapello will celebrate his 100th birthday on March 12. His family invites everyone to mail him cards and well wishes to honor his 100th birthday and service to the country.
Taylor is a veteran of WWII, Korea and the early days of the Vietnam War.
Taylor’s youngest son George Taylor said his father walked and hitchhiked for three days to get from Poplar Bluff to St. Louis to join the Navy. This was in 1940 and Taylor left with little more than a seventh-grade education. The younger Taylor said his father returned with a high school diploma and some college.
Taylor lied about his age to join the Navy. George said at the time the same paperwork was not required as it is today to join. He said with WWII looming, bodies were needed, so things such as age were not checked as closely.
By the time he was 18, Taylor had sailed halfway around the world. George said his father served on an aircraft carrier that left Pearl Harbor shortly before Japan attacked.
Taylor served in the critical WWII Battle of Midway. This U.S. victory prevented Japan from reaching the U.S. mainland. The elder Taylor also helped guard the artifacts at Pompeii during his military career. Taylor additionally assisted in the search for the German ship, Bismarck.
George said his father told him stories from his years in the service. He said his father was placed on guard in a dingy with a submachine gun one time to watch for submarines.
George said another story his father told him about him watching for sharks. George said because the sailors were unable to bathe regularly, they would swim in the ocean. While doing this, other sailors would sit in a dingy with machine guns watching for sharks. George said his father told him he would not have fired at a shark with a machine gun because it would have caused injuries to sailors in the water.
The younger Taylor said his father also said they would sit on the ship’s guns for 24 hours at a time in WWII. They did so to guard against Kamikaze pilots. They would be brought meals while they sat on watch.
George said his father left the service in 1965 due to hearing loss because of blown ear drums he sustained while serving. During his service, Taylor visited 26 countries and sailed on seven seas.
After the service, he worked as a lead electrician in St. Louis. His son said his father would work three jobs during the week and then on the weekend he would chop wood or do whatever else was needed at home to ensure his family was taken care of. George is the youngest of five children.
Leonard Taylor was also a very good shot with a rifle and particularly with a pistol. He won numerous awards for his shooting. George said his father would often participate in shooting contests at family reunions.
Taylor would allow his opponent to use a rifle and a scope to shoot at the target while he used a pistol. Taylor would win. George said his father could drill an X in a target with his shooting. Taylor was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing as well.
Despite everything he has seen and done, George said his father was quiet and would not brag or boast. George said his father would not open up about his military service much until after the death of his wife.
Taylor received the Governor’s Award in recognition of his military service. He now lives at Wappapello with his granddaughter, who cares for him. Anyone wishing to send Leonard Taylor a birthday card should send it to 36 Deer Creek Drive, Wappapello, MO 63966.