World War II was a true "World War" and a war where the outcome was never assured.
It was not a conflict where one side was much superior to the other. Some will say
that World War II was just a continuation of World War I and it may very well have
been, as Japan invaded China in 1937. Two years later Germany invaded Poland. This
global conflict split a majority of the world's nations into two opposing military
alliances: the Allies and the Axis. Spanning much of the globe, World War II resulted
in the deaths of over 70 million people, making it the deadliest conflict in human
history.
The conflict ended in an Allied victory. As a result, the United States and Soviet Union emerged as the world's two leading superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War for the next 45 years. Self determination gave rise to decolonization/independence movements in Asia and Africa, while Europe itself began traveling the road leading to integration.
With a World War in progress, many soldiers were needed for the United States Military and each local draft board was kept busy trying to fill the need of our nation. In many instances, every male, from individual families, was drafted and served in the Armed Forces during this period of time. The Taylor family of Rockport, Kentucky is one example. There were many more families that provided all of their men for this just cause, but will expound on the Taylor family.
Oscar Ott Taylor was born in Grayson County on 2/22/1875. Minnie D. Maddox was born in McHenry on 8/19/1891. This young couple married and settled in the Rockport area. From this marriage, three boys and one girl were added to the Taylor family. Cecil Taylor was born on April 14, 1914. Oral Taylor was born on January 28, 1916. Dortha A. Taylor was born on March 14, 1918. Another son by the name of Ishmel Taylor was born later, and probably in 1920, but have no information on this birth. Three sons and a daughter and Uncle Sam needed soldiers. The three boys were drafted and the girl married James L. Durham, who was also drafted. All served in the Armed Forces and returned home as heroes.
Cecil R. Taylor-Top Left:
Cecil R. Taylor was born in Rockport on April 14, 1914 and died on April 25, 1980. I never knew Cecil. He served his country and was honorably discharged. He married a woman by the name of Louise and they settled somewhere other than the Rockport area after his return from the war.
Oral Adrial Taylor-Bottom Left:
Oral A. Taylor was born in Rockport on January 28, 1916 and died on February 4, 1987. He served in the Army from December 7, 1939 until October 19, 1948. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and the next day he joined the Air Force. He served in the Air Force from October 20, 1948 until March 31, 1960 and was then given an honorable discharge as a Master Sergeant and retired after serving 20 years and 22 day total service time. He then went to a Stand-By Reserve status and was honorably discharged from the reserves on March 10, 1970. During this period of time, the Army had a branch called the Army Air Corps that can trace its' roots back to the days before airplanes. The use of balloons to "Search and Signal" cause rise to an Army Air Corps Signal Battalion. It goes back to near the start of the twentieth century. Even in World War I, as airplanes became a part of war, the Army Air Corps maintained and flew these planes. Likewise for World War II. In July 26, 1947, this Army Air Corps had grown to many thousand soldiers and Congress created a new unit called the U. S. Air Force. This was the birth of a separate and equal branch of the Armed Forces. Oral Taylor joined this new force called the United States Air Force in October of 1948 and served until he was honorably discharged on March 31, 1960.
After Oral Taylor was discharged, he returned to his roots and bought a small parcel of ground in Rockport where he placed a trailer. He stayed busy in Rockport and tried several lines of work. He opened a "Pool Room" and stayed in business for several years. He then became a night watchman for Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine and worked this position for several years. I had know Oral all of my life and he just made a person feel better about themselves. He encouraged me in ever endeavor that I ever attempted. About the time that Oral returned to his roots, I had been serving in the Air Force for two years and continued for another two years. He encouraged me to continue my career in the Air Force, but did not discourage me when I decided to try another line of work. Oral had been married, but the marriage did not work out and there were no children. After returning to Rockport, he considered all young males to be his children and he encouraged each one to become a better person. He certainly aided me in my attempt to become a responsible adult. I just wish that I could have spent more time with him. Thanks Oral, for your service to your country and to your community.
Ishmel "Cute" Taylor-Top Right:
"Cute" Taylor was the youngest of the Taylor's. I guess that all of Oscar and Minnie Taylor's children were something special and the ones that I knew were about life and making everyone feel better about themselves. Each had a smile and created warmth whenever they were in a person's presence. Don't ever remember Ishmel "Cute" Taylor not showing that big smile and don't ever remember him not being in a good mood. This guy stayed busy and did not tarry long in any one place. Guess that he figured that he had to spread "Joy and Peace" in the Rockport community and he certainly did that job until the day that he left this old earth.
"Cute" served his country during World War II and returned to Rockport as an American Hero. He secured a good job with Peabody Coal Company, a few years after his honorable discharge from the service. He married Imogene Coleman and settled in to raise a large family. There were three boys and I think four girls. After all of the children left the nest, Cute retired from Ken Mine, but death came early for Cute and he was not able to share a very long retirement with his wife. Another American War hero and Rockport resident that will continue to be missed by family and friends. Thanks Cute, for your service to your country and for being a nice person to be around.
James Lester Durham-Bottom Right:
Dortha Allene Taylor was born in Rockport on March 14, 1918 and died on June 1, 1990. She married James L. Durham on December 28, 1936. This young couple made a home in Rockport and raised a family of two boys and two girls. Two other infants died in childhood. During the World War II era, this couple did not have any children and Lester was given a 1A rating by the local draft board and was soon drafted. He served honorably in the Army and returned to Rockport after the war. A few years after his return from the Army, he was able to obtain a job with Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine and worked for the company until his death. For more information on Lester Durham's service time, please click on the following link.
James Lester Durham-Soldier.
Thanks for looking and hope you enjoyed your stay.
Subject: HONOR!
A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made
payable to "The United States of America, " for an amount of "up to
and including my life."
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country
who no longer understand it.
-- Author Unknown
See you......
jrd
The conflict ended in an Allied victory. As a result, the United States and Soviet Union emerged as the world's two leading superpowers, setting the stage for the Cold War for the next 45 years. Self determination gave rise to decolonization/independence movements in Asia and Africa, while Europe itself began traveling the road leading to integration.
With a World War in progress, many soldiers were needed for the United States Military and each local draft board was kept busy trying to fill the need of our nation. In many instances, every male, from individual families, was drafted and served in the Armed Forces during this period of time. The Taylor family of Rockport, Kentucky is one example. There were many more families that provided all of their men for this just cause, but will expound on the Taylor family.
Oscar Ott Taylor was born in Grayson County on 2/22/1875. Minnie D. Maddox was born in McHenry on 8/19/1891. This young couple married and settled in the Rockport area. From this marriage, three boys and one girl were added to the Taylor family. Cecil Taylor was born on April 14, 1914. Oral Taylor was born on January 28, 1916. Dortha A. Taylor was born on March 14, 1918. Another son by the name of Ishmel Taylor was born later, and probably in 1920, but have no information on this birth. Three sons and a daughter and Uncle Sam needed soldiers. The three boys were drafted and the girl married James L. Durham, who was also drafted. All served in the Armed Forces and returned home as heroes.
Cecil R. Taylor-Top Left:
Cecil R. Taylor was born in Rockport on April 14, 1914 and died on April 25, 1980. I never knew Cecil. He served his country and was honorably discharged. He married a woman by the name of Louise and they settled somewhere other than the Rockport area after his return from the war.
Oral Adrial Taylor-Bottom Left:
Oral A. Taylor was born in Rockport on January 28, 1916 and died on February 4, 1987. He served in the Army from December 7, 1939 until October 19, 1948. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and the next day he joined the Air Force. He served in the Air Force from October 20, 1948 until March 31, 1960 and was then given an honorable discharge as a Master Sergeant and retired after serving 20 years and 22 day total service time. He then went to a Stand-By Reserve status and was honorably discharged from the reserves on March 10, 1970. During this period of time, the Army had a branch called the Army Air Corps that can trace its' roots back to the days before airplanes. The use of balloons to "Search and Signal" cause rise to an Army Air Corps Signal Battalion. It goes back to near the start of the twentieth century. Even in World War I, as airplanes became a part of war, the Army Air Corps maintained and flew these planes. Likewise for World War II. In July 26, 1947, this Army Air Corps had grown to many thousand soldiers and Congress created a new unit called the U. S. Air Force. This was the birth of a separate and equal branch of the Armed Forces. Oral Taylor joined this new force called the United States Air Force in October of 1948 and served until he was honorably discharged on March 31, 1960.
After Oral Taylor was discharged, he returned to his roots and bought a small parcel of ground in Rockport where he placed a trailer. He stayed busy in Rockport and tried several lines of work. He opened a "Pool Room" and stayed in business for several years. He then became a night watchman for Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine and worked this position for several years. I had know Oral all of my life and he just made a person feel better about themselves. He encouraged me in ever endeavor that I ever attempted. About the time that Oral returned to his roots, I had been serving in the Air Force for two years and continued for another two years. He encouraged me to continue my career in the Air Force, but did not discourage me when I decided to try another line of work. Oral had been married, but the marriage did not work out and there were no children. After returning to Rockport, he considered all young males to be his children and he encouraged each one to become a better person. He certainly aided me in my attempt to become a responsible adult. I just wish that I could have spent more time with him. Thanks Oral, for your service to your country and to your community.
Ishmel "Cute" Taylor-Top Right:
"Cute" Taylor was the youngest of the Taylor's. I guess that all of Oscar and Minnie Taylor's children were something special and the ones that I knew were about life and making everyone feel better about themselves. Each had a smile and created warmth whenever they were in a person's presence. Don't ever remember Ishmel "Cute" Taylor not showing that big smile and don't ever remember him not being in a good mood. This guy stayed busy and did not tarry long in any one place. Guess that he figured that he had to spread "Joy and Peace" in the Rockport community and he certainly did that job until the day that he left this old earth.
"Cute" served his country during World War II and returned to Rockport as an American Hero. He secured a good job with Peabody Coal Company, a few years after his honorable discharge from the service. He married Imogene Coleman and settled in to raise a large family. There were three boys and I think four girls. After all of the children left the nest, Cute retired from Ken Mine, but death came early for Cute and he was not able to share a very long retirement with his wife. Another American War hero and Rockport resident that will continue to be missed by family and friends. Thanks Cute, for your service to your country and for being a nice person to be around.
James Lester Durham-Bottom Right:
Dortha Allene Taylor was born in Rockport on March 14, 1918 and died on June 1, 1990. She married James L. Durham on December 28, 1936. This young couple made a home in Rockport and raised a family of two boys and two girls. Two other infants died in childhood. During the World War II era, this couple did not have any children and Lester was given a 1A rating by the local draft board and was soon drafted. He served honorably in the Army and returned to Rockport after the war. A few years after his return from the Army, he was able to obtain a job with Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine and worked for the company until his death. For more information on Lester Durham's service time, please click on the following link.
James Lester Durham-Soldier.
Thanks for looking and hope you enjoyed your stay.
Subject: HONOR!
A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made
payable to "The United States of America, " for an amount of "up to
and including my life."
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country
who no longer understand it.
-- Author Unknown
See you......
jrd