Grand Island in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Philip C. Taylor
April 15, 1949 - May 27, 1971
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Philip Taylor, a Grand Island resident, enlisted in the Army in 1970 after completing one year at West Virginia University.
On May 27th, 1971, he was serving as the observer on board an OH-58A Scout helicopter. SSgt Taylor and his pilot, Lt. Thomas Knuckey, were conducting passes of some large enemy bunkers. They were killed on their third pass when their helicopter was hit and exploded.
For SSgt Taylor's courageous acts including those that day, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and many others for his heroic service.
SSgt Taylor and his pilot, Lt. Knuckey, were laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery after they were repatriated in 1993.
Erected 2021 by Grand Island VFW Memorial Post 9249, Grand Island American Legion and Grand Island Moose Lodge 180.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is May 27, 1971.
Location. 43° 1.545′ N, 78° 57.97′ W. Marker is on Grand Island, New York, in Erie County. Memorial is at the intersection of Grand Island Boulevard (New York State Route 324) and Baseline Road, on the right when traveling north on Grand Island Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2340 Grand Island Boulevard, Grand Island NY 14072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edward P. Pierce (here, next to this marker); William S. Gillen (here, next to this marker); Charles N. DeGlopper (here, next to this marker); Howard W. Salton (here, next to this marker); George E. Smith (here, next to this marker); Eugene F. Dinsmore (here, next to this marker); Francis K. Goodchild (here, next to this marker); Charles A. Smith (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Island.
Also see . . . DeGlopper Memorial. (Submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 38 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2, 3. submitted on May 7, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.