[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 106 (Thursday, June 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S8652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BRIGADIER GENERAL KEN TAYLOR

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to BG Ken Taylor, who 
will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery later this afternoon.
  From his service as a pilot during World War II to his tenure as 
Commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, General Taylor was always a 
hero--in every sense of the word, and to all who knew and loved him.
  As a young boy in Oklahoma, Ken set his sights on becoming a pilot. 
After completing high school and 2 years of college, Ken fulfilled his 
dream by joining the Army Air Corps.
  In April 1941, newly commissioned as a second lieutenant, Ken 
received his first assignment. He was stationed at Wheeler Field, on 
the Hawaiian island of Oahu, as a member of the 47th Pursuit Squadron. 
And it was there, during one of the darkest days in our Nation's 
history, that Ken's bravery shined brightest.
  Early in the morning on December 7, 1941, after a long night of 
poker, dancing, and a little drinking at the officer's club, Ken awoke 
to the sound of low flying Japanese aircraft fighters and bombers on 
course to attack the Navy's Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.
  Ken and fellow pilot George Welch, who was staying in a neighboring 
apartment, took immediate action. They called ahead to their air crew 
with instructions to load their P-40s with fuel and ammunition.
  Both pilots hurriedly pulled their evening wear back on, and sped off 
in Ken's new Buick toward Haleiwa Field. Dodging Japanese strafing runs 
and driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, they soon 
arrived at the airfield. The pair quickly strapped into their P-40 
Tomahawks, which were fully fueled but only partially armed.
  Outnumbered, outgunned, and without orders, the two pilots taxied to 
the runway intent on engaging the over 300 unchallenged Japanese 
aircraft.
  Once airborne, Ken and George immediately came under fire. Ken later 
described the ensuing combat as ``shooting fish in a barrel''--a 
definite understatement, as the Japanese shot back at their pursuers. 
At least one round hit Ken's cockpit, embedding shrapnel in his arm and 
leg.
  Determined to stay in the air as long as possible, Ken and George 
attacked a group of bombers until they ran out of ammunition. The pair 
then landed at Wheeler Field to resupply and refuel.
  While an air crew rearmed their planes, the duo received a dressing 
down from a superior officer for taking off without orders. The officer 
also insisted they stay on the ground, but when another attack forced 
airfield personnel to scatter, Ken and George took the chance to get 
back into the fight.
  With a fresh supply of .50 caliber ammunition, Ken positioned himself 
on the runway to take off just as a group of dive bombers flew 
overhead. He described his second takeoff to Army Times as follows:

       I took off right toward them, which gave me the ability to 
     shoot at them before I even left the ground. I got behind one 
     of them and started shooting again. The only thing I didn't 
     know at that time was that I got in the middle of the line 
     rather than the end. There was somebody on my tail. They put 
     a bullet right behind my head through the canopy and into the 
     trim tab inside. So I got a little bit of shrapnel in my leg 
     and through the arm. It was of no consequence; it just scared 
     the hell out of me for a minute.

  Before the last fires were extinguished from the remains of the 
Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Ken Taylor and George Welch had shot 
down at least eight Japanese fighters. Many believe their decision to 
take to the air prevented a full assault on Haleiwa, saving the field 
from sure destruction. By the end of the day, the two lieutenants had 
become America's first heroes of World War II--all while wearing tuxedo 
pants and a Hawaiian flower-print shirt.
  For his tremendous courage under fire, Ken received the Distinguished 
Service Cross and a Purple Heart. But his service to this Nation was 
far from finished. Ken went on to fight at Guadalcanal, where he was 
credited with destroying another Japanese plane. After a broken leg 
ended his combat career, Ken returned stateside and served for 27 more 
years. He served in the Alaska Air National Guard.
  In 1967, Ken became the Assistant Adjutant General for the Alaska Air 
National Guard. Before retiring in 1971, he was promoted to Brigadier 
General and served as the full Commander of the Air Guard.
  In this capacity, Ken quickly distinguished himself as an able and 
respected leader. He worked closely with MG C. F. Necrason, then the 
Adjutant General of the Alaska National Guard, to save the Air Guard 
component in our State. Under Ken's direction, the reinvigorated Air 
Guard units provided rural Alaskans with access to health care, 
medivacs, and disaster relief services.
  As a Senator for Alaska, it was my privilege to work with Ken on many 
occasions during this period. My wife Catherine's father, Bill Bittner, 
Sr., was a close friend of Ken's and his fishing partner. Bill and I 
often spent long summer days fishing with Ken and talking about World 
War II.
  To this day, Ken's family has strong ties to Alaska. Ken's son, Ken 
Jr., followed in his father's footsteps and also became commander of 
the Alaska Air National Guard. They remain the only father and son in 
our Nation's history to have achieved such an honor. Also, Ken Sr.'s 
grandson, Eric Taylor, now serves in the Alaska Air National Guard with 
distinction.
  The remarkable story of Ken Taylor reminds me of a statement once 
made by General George Marshall. Asked if America had a secret weapon 
to help win World War II, General Marshall replied in the affirmative. 
He said we had ``the best darn kids in the world.''
  One can't help but wonder if these words were partly inspired by Ken 
Taylor, who, at age 21, exemplified great courage and bravery during 
the battle that drew America into World War II. For those who remember, 
his was one of the two planes that took off in the movie entitled 
``Pearl Harbor.''
  It gives me great pride to have known this man. On this solemn day 
when we put him to rest, let us all take a moment to reflect on the 
life--and honor the memory--of this great American hero.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri is recognized for 10 
minutes.

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