USS Taylor (DD-468)

William Rogers Taylor , born in Rhode Island on 7 November 1811, was appointed midshipman on 1 April 1828. The following year, he was posted to the sloop St. Louis of the Pacific Squadron and served in her until 1832. In 1833 and 1834, he attended the Naval School at New York and, in the latter year, was promoted to passed midshipman. The following year, he was assigned to the receiving ship at New York.

Taylor returned to sea in 1836. Assigned to the sloop Peacock cruising with the East India Squadron, Passed Midshipman Taylor was called upon to command a short expedition when his ship ran aground on a reef near the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Assuming command of a cutter, he took a diplomatic agent, Edmund Roberts, to Muscat, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Oman, to exchange ratified treaties. The voyage took five days and included a chase by some Moslem pirates. Midshipman Taylor, however, managed to overcome all obstacles and completed his mission successfully.

On 10 February 1840, Taylor was promoted to lieutenant. In 1842 and 1843, he participated in a survey of Tampa Bay on board the brig Oregon. During the Mexican War, Lt. Taylor served in the sloop St. Mary's and saw action at Tampico Bar on 8 and 15 June 1846. During the siege of Vera Cruz, he commanded an 8-inch gun in the naval battery.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Taylor II (DD-468)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.