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| USMC PFC Charles Robert Taylor served aboard the USS Oklahoma |
Bob was born on November 16, 1918 in Wichita, Kansas. His parents William and Helen were also born in Kansas. His father was a veteran of World War I and worked as a hardware merchant and later as an insurance agent. He had one older sister, two younger sisters, and two younger brothers. His family relocated to Carnegie, Oklahoma in 1933 and in 1940 Bob had completed one year of college and was working as a clerk in a grocery.
He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in May 1940 and was sent to MCRD San Diego for boot camp. He reported for duty on August 9, 1940 as part of the 40-man Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma, which would be his home for the next 15 months.
PFC Taylor was aboard the Oklahoma on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The Oklahoma was struck by at least 5 torpedoes and capsized approximately 12 minutes after the first torpedo hit. Hundreds of men were trapped below her decks and found themselves in pitch-black darkness, as compartments filled with water. PFC Taylor was among the 429 officers, sailors, and Marines who perished aboard the Oklahoma, marking the second greatest loss of life at Pearl Harbor.
The Taylor family learned of Bob's death in January 1942, and a memorial service was held at Carnegie High School in March to recognize the first of the town's citizens to be killed in the war. Bob’s brothers Harold and Eugene also served in the US Army and US Army Air Forces, respectively, and both survived the war.
Charles Robert Taylor is memorialized at the USS Oklahoma Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and at Carnegie Cemetery in Carnegie, Oklahoma.
Thank you PFC Taylor for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Bob.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Sheldon Dannelly, 32nd Infantry Division. You can read about Sheldon here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Charles Robert Taylor is memorialized at the USS Oklahoma Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and at Carnegie Cemetery in Carnegie, Oklahoma.
Thank you PFC Taylor for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Bob.
___________
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Sheldon Dannelly, 32nd Infantry Division. You can read about Sheldon here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by
The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation
“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”
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