Mervin Leslie Taylor

Mervin Leslie Taylor (AKA M.L Taylor.) was born December 03, 1918, in Mansfield Ohio, to Thomas Franklin Taylor and Ella Wilbur (Fox) Taylor. He passed away Monday, January 09, 2017, in Anaheim, California, in his home, at the age of 98.
Before entering the service, Mervin attended The Ohio State University and worked with his father, Thomas, at the Westinghouse facility in Mansfield, Ohio.
Mervin Taylor entered military service in 1942 as a naval aviation cadet, graduating from the Naval Aviation Program at Corpus Christi, TX and taking his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He saw combat on Guadalcanal, flying Corsair fighter aircraft with Marine Squadron VMF-124. He returned to the United States as a flight instructor. He again saw combat in Corsair aircraft when deployed to Korea, eventually being promoted to major and squadron executive officer. Marine aviator Taylor retired at the rank of lieutenant-colonel, having been awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, 18 Air Medals, WWII Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Survivors include his daughters, Jacqulin Strickler, Terry Lee Taylor-Heskett, and Sherry Ann Norton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Marie (Phelps) Taylor and his son Michael Leslie Taylor.
Viewing will take place from 5 – 9 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4471 E. Lincoln Boulevard, Cypress, CA. A graveside service, with military honors, will take place at 9:00 am on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4471 E. Lincoln Boulevard, Cypress, CA.