Harry T. Taylor – WW 2 Hero’s Secret Weapon – The Very Pistol
New Secret Weapon
Using a new “secret weapon,” Staff Sergeant Harry Taylor of Missoula recently performed a task in the battle for the Siegfried line[1] that American tanks were unable to do, a dispatch from Army headquarters in the European theater indicates.
A tank-infantry team from an armored division was trying to dislodge four lightly-armed Germans in a pillbox near Wallendorf, Germany. An M4 tank put two rounds of 75 through the front. The Jerries didn’t budge. Bazooka men sent two rockets at the back door. The Jerries didn’t budge.
Then Sergeant Taylor fired a Very pistol[2] through an opening in the rear of the pillbox – and the four Germans immediately emerged. They explained they had ducked down to avoid the tank’s shells, but this new “secret weapon” was too much for them – the “secret weapon” being the ball of green fire from the Very pistol.
Sergeant Taylor is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Taylor, 2031 South Tenth street. He has been in the Army since March, 1942, and overseas since March of this year. Last month he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.
Two brothers of Sergeant Taylor are also in the service. They are Louis, aerial engineer, who has been in the Army the same length of time and is also a staff sergeant, and Bryon, a technician, fifth grade.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian November 15, 1944.
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Accounts for 15 Enemies
Staff Sergeant Harry T. Taylor of Missoula has been awarded the Bronze Star medal for heroic service in the battle at Les Epinieres, [Pepinieres] France, August 23, where he is in service with the Fifth armored division.
Information from the headquarters of the communications zone of the European theater of operations is that during the assault on the town, Sergeant Taylor sought out a heavily fortified enemy position and attacked it with his armored infantry squad. The information says, “Completely disregarding his own safety the sergeant himself destroyed 15 enemy soldiers who might have held up the accomplishment of the mission of the assault force, it was stated in the recommendation for his decoration.”
Sergeant Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Taylor, 2031 South Tenth street, Missoula, was employed as a store clerk before his induction into the Army, March 22, 1942. He was assigned to the Fifth armored division April 2, 1942.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on November 13, 1944.
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Sergeant Taylor Dies in Germany
Staff Sergeant Harry T. Taylor died of wounds in Germany April 23, said word received Monday from the War department by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest A. Taylor, 2031 South Tenth street, west.
He enlisted in the Army in March, 1942, and went overseas in March, 1944. Sergeant Taylor was awarded the bronze star last October. He attended Missoula schools and was employed by the Britt furniture company before entering the service.
Two brothers are also in the service. Corporal Byron is in Germany with Patton’s armored infantry, and Staff Sergeant Lewis Dale is stationed in Italy with the Ferry command.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on May 8, 1945.
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Repatriated
The body of Staff Sergeant Harry T. Taylor, native of Missoula who was killed in action at Diesdorn, Germany, April 23, 1945, is to arrive Thursday at the Marsh & Powell mortuary for services and reburial. It was formerly buried in Holland.
Sergeant Taylor, whose Missoula home was at 2031 South Tenth street, was born July 13, 1917. He was reared in Missoula and attended local schools.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Taylor; four brothers, Ernest E., Dale, Byron and Howard; four sisters, Mrs. Jack Fristo, Mrs. A. E. Gallagher and Fay and Joyce Taylor, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Phillips, all of Missoula.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on January 16, 1949
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Rites Conducted For Sergeant Harry T. Taylor
Funeral Services for Sergeant Harry T. Taylor were conducted at the Marsh & Powell chapel Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. M. J. McPike officiating. The Veterans of Foreign Wars conducted rites at the graveside in Missoula cemetery.
Pallbearers were Ivan Ostrom, Robert Rangitsch, Walter Riedlinger, Reuben Saylor, Harry Stemple and Wayne Ward.
The young serviceman, whose body was returned to the United States under the graves registration program of the government, was born July 13, 1917. After his death his burial was in Holland and it was from that country that repatriation was effected.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on January 23, 1949