In Memory

James Alton (Tiny) Taylor - Class Of 1958

James Alton (Tiny) Taylor
MBHS Class Of 1958

"Tiny"

"That's as well said as if I said It myself."

17 September 1940 - 26 August 1968

 

Died In Viet Nam 1968
US Army
Age At Death 27
Survived By Wife & Son




 

Remembering

James Alton Taylor

Warrant Officer, Army of the United States

A CO, 9TH AVN BN, 9 INF DIV

From Atlanta, Georgia

17 September 1940 - 26 August 1968

wall rule image

James Alton Taylor is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 46W Line 034.

22 Nov 2003

This tribute is for Warrant Officer James Alton Taylor, most often called "Tiny" by his friends and family. He was my friend and first boyfriend as a young teenager. He was always laughing and into some kind of activity with his buddies, such as helping deliver morning papers with Stacy S. with girls helping at 5 a.m. before school, driving the boat as others tried to learn to ski in the inland waterway, walking along the ocean sand either watching "submarine races" with someone or skipping stones or lying in the sand looking up at the stars in awe and wonder. He was a good student, a good son, and a good brother to Tuffy (older). I adored him. In school, he played football and baseball and was a darn good catcher for the team. Everyone seemed to like him and I missed him a lot when he graduated a year before me. We had been the very best of friends and it was so very sad when we lost touch. In 1968, my mother called to inform me that she had attended his funeral held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and I was stunned. I did not know that he had been to Nam already once and had returned to his second tour; I only know that my heart broke and I cried and cried. For many days, my husband tried to console me in this loss of such a dear friend. Sometimes I still cry. I have never forgotten him. Ever. He is always in my prayers when I attend mass daily and I miss knowing that he is around even to this day. I thank God that there is eternity and I know that one day, I will see Tiny again and be able to thank him for our teenage years together and for his part in helping the people in Vietnam to acquire some freedom. I know that he was married and had a son who would be as old as my children today and that possibly he could even be a grandfather! How funny to think that we could have shared this in our lives but it was not meant to be. So I will say once again, "Tiny, dear friend, you were and are still so special to me and to many others. You are often in my thoughts."

Your friend and high school companion,
Jane

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a friend,
Mrs. Jane Smith Robbins
7880 U. S. Highway South, Thomasville, Ga 31757

PERSONAL DATA Home of Record: Atlanta, Georgia Date of birth: Tuesday, 09/17/1940

MILITARY DATA Service: Army (Reserve) Grade at loss: W1 Rank:

Warrant Officer ID No: W3159790

MOS: 062B Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor

LenSvc: Less than one year

Unit: A CO, 9TH AVN BN, 9 INF DIV CASUALTY DATA

Start Tour: Friday, 08/09/1968 Cas Date:

Monday, 08/26/1968 Age at Loss: 27

Remains: Body recovered

Location: Gia Dinh, South Vietnam

Type: Hostile, died outright

Reason: Air loss or crash over land - Helicopter - Pilot ON THE WALL Panel 46W Line 034
 



 
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07/07/13 08:07 AM #1    

Linda Kay Todd (Winters) (1961)

Tiny was my friend and the husband of my sister-inlaw, Mary Frances (Todd) Taylor. He was in Viet Nam for only two weeks on his first tour of duty, I was in Viet Nam flying F-100s for two months when he was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade that blew off his tail rotor. His helicopter landed on its right side and immediately burst into flames. All on the right side were killed immediately and those on the left, including his battalion commander, survived. I escorted Tiny's body back to Myrtle Beach from the mortuary services at Dover AFB. There were fifteen other bodies on the train, all from Ft. Bragg. It was a very sad time and I returned to Viet Nam after the funeral to complete my tour there. Tiny does have two grandchildren, one, Brandy, who lives with Mary Frances and  another, Brad who  also lives in Myrtle Beach.

Pete Winters, husband of Linda Kay Todd


07/07/13 05:40 PM #2    

Harold "Dwaine" Jackson. Jr. (1963)

I barely remember Tiny as a fellow classmate.  I was 5 years later in my graduation from MBHS.  He must have been a great athlete (true friend to those around him) for me to remember his name.  I also entered the Viet Nam war in 1968 in the Navy. We tried to do our part (in service to our men and women in service) from the waters off the coast of Viet Nam. Anyone who served on the ground or air probably had a much more challenging war effort than did those of us in the Navy.  I can testify from all of the reports I saw the fighting on land was extremely difficult.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Tiny's family and loved ones.

 

Best Regards,

 

Harold Dwaine Jackson, Jr.

Class of 1963 - MBHS

Class of 1968 - Clemson University

 

PS - Tomorrow (July 8th) I will attend the funeral of Charles E. Millwood, Jr.  He passed away a few days ago. He was another exceptional person and athlete.  I knew Charles better as I played football and baseball at MBHS with him.  Tiny and Charles both had at least three things in common:  1) both finished MBHS  3) both were catchers 3) both served valiantly in Viet Nam. 

To these great fiends I say farewell for now and my God keep you both in his loving care.


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