Roy B. "Skip" Taylor
About SKIP
Veteran
Skip Taylor was the starting catcher and co-captain of the East Carolina Baseball team when Vietnam was at its height. He managed to get a high draft number and wisely joined the Marine Reserves so he could stay in school. He did have to go to Parris Island for Boot Camp. While there, he underwent grenade training with live grenades. Unbeknownst to him, his drill instructor (DI) had bet a fellow DI that this Taylor kid could throw the grenade 75 feet. His DI handed Skip the grenade, pulled the pin and told him to throw it 75 feet. Skip, in a protective bunker with shrapnel marks all around the concrete walls from other failed throws, was scared to death and as any good starting catcher would do, he heaved the grenade much farther than the requisite 75 feet. He only learned later that he had earned his DI a case of beer.
Sometimes, we don’t know when we are heroes. For his skills in life as a go-to guy on insurance premium audits and rule interpretation, skill on and off the ball field, and skills as the best brother one could ask for, Skip Taylor is my hero.
Flag Location
Flag
Column 9, Row E
Sponsor
Todd Taylor
Location
Honor Field A
