Kenneth M. Taylor | |
|---|---|
 Major Kenneth M. Taylor, c. 1945 | |
| Born | December 23, 1919 Enid, Oklahoma |
| Died | November 25, 2006 (aged 86) Tucson, Arizona |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service | United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Forces  United States Air Force Alaska Air National Guard |
| Years of service | 1940–1971 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | 47th Pursuit Squadron 44th Fighter Squadron 12th Pursuit Squadron 4961st Special Weapons Test 456th Fighter Squadron |
| Battles / wars | World War II Cold War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Purple Heart Air Medal |
| Other work | Aviation insurance (1971–1985) |
Kenneth Marlar Taylor (December 23, 1919 – November 25, 2006) was a United States Air Force officer and a flying ace of World War II. He was a new United States Army Air Corps second lieutenant pilot stationed at Wheeler Field during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Along with his fellow pilot and friend George Welch, Taylor managed to get a fighter plane airborne under fire. Taylor claimed to have shot down four Japanese dive bombers but only two were confirmed. Taylor was injured during the incident and received several awards for his efforts, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart.
Taylor later commanded several squadrons while stationed in the United States and elsewhere, and served for 27 years of active duty. He joined the Alaska Air National Guard until 1971 and worked in the insurance industry before retiring in 1985. His Pearl Harbor experience was portrayed in the 1970 film Tora! Tora! Tora! and the film Pearl Harbor.