Fighting With the 741st Tank Battallion in WWII

One week after turning 21 and with dreams of seeing the world, Dennis Taylor left his home in Pathfork, Kentucky and enlisted in the United States Army. His parents thought he had gone to visit a relative. When they found out what he had done, they were crushed. It was July 3, 1940. The country was bracing itself for World War II.

By the time Dennis was discharged five years later, he had crisscrossed the U.S., sailed to England, and marched across Northern France, Belgium and Luxemburg, and into Germany, where he was wounded in battle in March 1945. Before his injury he had received ninety points and by the time of his discharge he was awarded the following decorations and citations:

• American Defense Service Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• EAME Theater Ribbon with Silver Star
• Good Conduct Medal
• Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII
• Presidential Unit Emblem
• Purple Heart
• WWII Victory Medal

The italicized entries on the following pages are his words, written in letters and on the back of pictures that he sent to his wife and family.

This tribute is to acknowledge his courage and sacrifices during a horrific event that he rarely mentioned but which profoundly affected the rest of his life and the lives of countless others.

It is also for his granddaughter, sister, nieces and nephews, to give them a deeper understanding of this man who loved them all.

And it is for his former Army buddies in the 741st Tank Battalion. My hope is that those who remain with us will recognize themselves in some of the pictures on this site, and that they will remember with fondness Sgt. Dennis Taylor from Kentucky.

Elizabeth Taylor
elizabeth@oldstraycat.com