USS Taylor DDE-468

• Namesake: USS Taylor (DD/DDE-468) was named after Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor, a distinguished US Navy officer who served during the Civil War. • Benson-class Destroyer: The ship was a Benson-class destroyer, a class known for their speed, durability, and service throughout World War II. • Commissioned in 1942: USS Taylor was launched on 7 June 1942 and commissioned on 28 August 1942, rapidly entering service during the critical early years of WWII. • Guadalcanal Campaign: Taylor played a key role in the Solomon Islands campaign, including escorting supply convoys and providing fire support during the Battle of Guadalcanal. • "The Destroyer That Led the Fleet": Taylor was famously the first US warship to enter Tokyo Bay at the end of World War II, leading the occupation fleet on 29 August 1945. • Kamikaze Attacks: Taylor survived several kamikaze attacks and near-misses during operations in the Pacific, showcasing the crew's resilience and the ship's durability. • Korean War Service: After World War II, Taylor was recommissioned as a DDE (escort destroyer) and participated in the Korean War, performing patrol and escort duties. • Operation Crossroads: Taylor participated in the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946, part of the historic Operation Crossroads. • Decorations: USS Taylor earned 15 battle stars for her service in World War II and 5 for her service during the Korean War, making her one of the most decorated ships of her class. • Decommissioning and Fate: She was finally decommissioned on 6 May 1969 and sold for scrap in 1971, ending a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades.