SSgt Marion C. Taylor
19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS)
Engineer B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 Missing In Action (MIA) September 15, 1942

Background
Marion Crutcher Taylor was born December 30, 1916 to parents Crutcher E. Taylor and Ora Belle (née Bequette) Taylor in Billings, Montana. At age five, his father was injured in a car accident and died. At age eight, his mother remarried John Gilmore and moved to Butte, Montana. He graduated from Jefferson County High School in Whitehall class of 1935. Next, he attended one year of college and was employed as a semi-skilled professional. On October 16, 1940 he registered for the U.S. Draft.

Wartime History
On April 11, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) at Fort Missoula in Montana as a private with serial number 19054589. Assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS) as a B-17 Flying Fortress as a flight engineer. By 1942, promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

On August 12, 1942 Taylor flew aboard a B-17 on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. The formation of eight B-17s was attacked by Zero fighters before, during and after the bomb run. Gunners aboard the B-17s claimed three shot down and claimed to sink or badly damage four ships. For his actions on the mission, he earned the Silver Star.

Mission History
On September 15, 1942 at 5:30pm took off as engineer aboard B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by Captain Robert L. Williams as one of nine B-17s on a night bombing mission against Rabaul. After take off, no further contact was made with this bomber. On September 16, 1942 at 1:30am, when this bomber failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Taylor was was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. He earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Taylor is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

Relatives
Crutcher E. Taylor (father died October 19, 1921)
Ora Belle Bequette Taylor/Gilmore (mother died June 14, 1975)
Norma Jane Garvey (sister born 1920 died February 26, 2004)

References
U.S. Draft Registration Card - Marion C. Taylor, October 16, 1940
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Marion C. Taylor
The River Press "History of 30th Bomb Squadron Compiled by Pyote, Texas, Field" February 24, 1943 page A6
"During the 30th’s turn at an advanced base [7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby] in September [1942], one of the best liked men in the outfit, Capt. R. L. Williams, of Spartanberg, S.C., was lost. He had never run an incomplete mission, in any sense, until he and his crew were reported missing. With Capt. Williams on his last flight were Lts. Robert Wilson of Verona, N.J., Marion Wheeler of Webster, Iowa, and William A. Dietch of Chicago, plus the enlisted crew: Sgts. Thomas L. Cotner of Casper, Wyoming, Glenn Keclic [sic Keclik] of Kansas City, Mo., Ernest Pugh of Hampton, Va., Marion Taylor of Butte, Montana and William . Lewis of Peoria, Ill."
The Butte Daily Post "Butte Youth, Crewman on Fortress, Reported Missing In Action" September 26, 1942 page 1
The Montana Standard "Butte Youth, Crewman on Fortress Reported Missing In Action" September 27, 1942 page 6
The Valerian "Missing In Action" October 8, 1942 page 2
The Butte Daily Post "Butte Flyer Decorated Sgt Marion C. Taylor" November 20, 1942 page 1
The Montana Standard "Heroic Acts Which Won Bravery Medals For Montanans Reviewed by Former Butte Scribe" by Vern Haugland page 2
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Marion C. Taylor
DPAA Personnel File - Marion C. Taylor
FindAGrave - SSgt Marion C Taylor (tablets of the missing photo)

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