Leslie A. Taylor

09/04/1923 - 04/11/2011

TAYLOR,
Leslie A.
CAPT. USN
(Age 87)

Les passed away in his sleep April 11, 2011 at his home on Mercer Island, WA after losing his wife, Colleen, of 65 years on March 29, 2011. He was born on September 4, 1923 in Spokane to Edna and Leslie Taylor and raised by his mother and stepfather, Paul L. Sandberg. Les attended Lewis & Clark High School playing both football and baseball and as quarterback in his junior year they won the City Championship. Upon graduation in 1941 he entered Whitman College in Walla Walla with a baseball scholarship. The war broke out on December 7, 1941 and Les joined the Navy, and after training he was assigned to a PT Boat Squadron as a Torpedoman in the South Pacific operating out of Guadalcanal and New Guinea. They operated in forward areas and difficult combat conditions. Les served over 20 months aboard several PT Boats returning on a hospital ship and assigned duty in Seattle.
Les met his future wife, Colleen, in Seattle and they were married in Monroe, WA on May 17, 1946. He returned to finish his college education graduating from Eastern Washington College in 1949. After graduation the Korean Conflict had started and he returned to active duty and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy and ordered to the destroyer USS McDermott, deploying to Korean waters. While there he was also assigned as an advisor to a South Korean PT Boat Squadron.During his Naval career, he served aboard various ships, staffs, and held several commands, one as Capt. of the USS Fletcher, the largest destroyer in the fleet which he deployed to the Vietnam conflict. He later commanded the USS Mount Hood, a large ammunition ship that he also deployed to the Vietnam conflict. During his career he received many awards and decorations including two Bronze Stars with Combat V, Vietnam Medal of Gallantry with Silver Star.
After retirement he was the Marine Manager for four years at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands followed by moving to Seattle and piloting cruise ships in Alaskan waters during the summers until 1992.
He is survived by his three children, Denise (Bob) Kelley of Mill Creek, WA, Janelle Taylor of Mill Creek, WA, Jeffery (Christie) Taylor of Saratoga Springs, UT; his brother Phil (Marilyn) Sandberg of Spokane; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A family memorial will be held at Floral Hills, Lynnwood, WA.