Vernon Edward "Happy" Taylor was born April 1, 1923 in Branch, Franklin Co., Ar. to Edward Fanoy & Alice Lee Layman Taylor. Before 1930 the Taylor family moved to Big Creek Twsp., Sebastian Co. Ar. August 20, 1946 Vernon married Maxine Potts. June 30, 1942 Vernon registered for the military draft in Sebastian Co., Ar. And on Jan 12, 1943 he enlisted in the US Army. He was attached to the Combat Engineers. He was discharged Nov 15, 1945. To see what Combat Engineers did in WWII Click Here July 31, 1985 Vernon Edward Taylor passed away in Fresno, Fresno Co., California. His ashes were scattered at sea in Monterey Bay, California ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vernon Edward Taylor's Days In WWII. as told by Richard S. Taylor "Dad spoke of being assigned to combat engineers during the war and was lucky enough to drive a jeep during most of the long cross-country marches. Combat engineers were the logistical support of most army units. They were trained, armed and fought as infantrymen when needed, but also drove vehicles, operated heavy equipment, unloaded supplies, built or blew up bridges, marked river crossings, cleared land mines and a multitude of logistical functions. They insured the fighting force was adequately moved and remained supplied with all the items necessary to insure victory". He served with the Fifth Army, Second Corps, 19th Combat Engineer Regiment, Group 4. Vern often joked he never learned to march or form up very well-never had time and it wasn't a safe thing to do with bullets, artillery shells, and bombs going off all around you!! He did lightly add becoming a master at crawling on his stomach and digging foxholes. Aug 2, 1985 Fresno Bee Fresno California