US dignitaries, Marine Corps legends attend memorial service for fallen hero at Quantico National Cemetery

Photo By Tarnish Pride | Family, friends, and brothers in arms, gather to pay their final respects to retired U.S. Marine LtCol Bayard Victor Taylor at Quantico National Cemetery. A separate ceremony was held after the interment at the Marine Corps Museum. The guest speakers where retired U.S. Marine BG William Weise, Navy Cross recipient, who was LtCol Taylor's battalion commander during the Vietnam battle of Dia Do, and former Secretary of Defense, retired U.S. Marine General James N. Mattis on September 11, 2023. (marine photo by Mr. Tarnish Pride)  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

09.11.2023

Story by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Carlos Dela Torre 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

US dignitaries, Marine Corps legends attend memorial service for fallen hero at Quantico National Cemetery
Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.----- On Sept. 11, people gathered around the world reflected on the tragedy that occurred in 2001. At Quantico National Cemetery a group of came together to honor the legacy of a recently fallen hero, retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Bayard Vic Taylor, who died May 26, 2023.
Event speakers included retired U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. William Weise, a former commander of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and Navy Cross recipient, Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, who served as Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. John Kelly, the former Secretary of Homeland Security and White House Chief of Staff.
Marines who served with Taylor, many of whom attributed their success and ability to come home during the Vietnam War, were also in attendance, including former Secretary of Defense retired Gen. James Mattis.
“Everything I loved about Marines, I found in Vic Taylor,” Mattis explained. “After I met him, wherever I went, whenever I was put to the test, I think of Vic.”
Taylor received a Silver Star for his actions while serving as a platoon commander with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, in Vietnam and honorably retired in 1985.
Many of Taylor’s friends at the memorial service expressed how he was loved and respected throughout his community. Moreover, how he made an impact on the Marine Corps that continues to this day.
“He inspired so many people and Marines after him, that his legacy will go on long after we and our children’s children are gone,” said U.S. Marine Corps retired Brig. Gen. William Weise. “The effects of Vic Taylor will still be in the Marine Corps.”
The event also celebrated his life, service, and contributions to everyone whose lives had been touched by Taylor, specifically through the infantry officer course, which he founded in 1977.
Newbold said Taylor’s course design enabled graduates to become more capable, knowledgeable, and help surpass the standards of leading Marines to accomplish their assigned mission.
“Every time I come across anybody who knew of him, they were just affected,” said James O’Neal, who was under Taylor’s command in Vietnam. “It was like a beam of light, a godsend. He touched every one of us.”
For anyone who would like to pay their respects to Taylor, a small plaque is located at the Quantico National Cemetery.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2023
• Date Posted: 09.19.2023 10:19
• Story ID: 453702
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US