Douglas Degaris "Gary" Taylor

Significant Duty Stations

• VF 124 Naval Air Station, Miramar, California 1970; US Navy Helicopter Attack Squadron Three HA(L)3 Vietnam; VF 154 USS Ranger (CV-61) Vietnam 1971-1972; Naval Reserve USS Blakely (FF-1072) 1977-1977; NR PersMobTeam 1208 1977-1983; VS-0174 1983-1990; NR USS Enterprise (CVN-65) 1990-1993

Decorations & Citations

• Air Medal (11); Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (2); National Defense Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; Expert Rifle Medal; Air Crew Wings; Combat Air Crew Wing

Notes

Graduate of Whigham, Georgia public schools 1967 and Nashville Auto-Diesel College 1968. Drafted and joined the Navy 1969. Trained as jet engine mechanic. Ordered to NAS Miramar, San Diego, California 1970. February 1972, volunteered for flight duty, door gunner with Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three (HAL-3). Vietnam delta, logging over 300 combat flight hours supporting SEALS, river gunboat and army operations. In-country combat operations from August 1971- February 1972. Ordered back to Miramar to VF-154, F-4 "Phantoms"and 12 months carrier cruise onboard USS Ranger (CV-61), to Gulf of Tokin to end of air operations in 1973. Joined US Navy Reserves in 1975, retiring in 1993. Married Kathy Finley of San Diego in 1972, moving back to Grady County, Georgia in 1973, parents of 5 sons.