Commander Melvin L. Taylor Jr. is a native of Guthrie, Oklahoma. He entered the Navy in September 1965 and achieved his commission on 21 December 1976 through the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP).

Upon completion of "Boot Camp" at Recruit Training Center, San Diego, California, Airman Apprentice Taylor's initial assignment was at Naval Air Station (NAS), North Island, California. Following Aviation Electronics Technician "A" school, his initial sea duty was Light Attach Squadron 146 (VA-146) on board USS Constellation (CVA-64). Subsequent duty as an Aviation Electronics Technician took him to VA-215 on board USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), back to Naval Training Center, Memphis, Tennessee for additioanl schooling and follow-on duty at Naval Air Maintenance Training Detachment (NAMTRADET) NAS Lemoore, California. While assigned as an instructor at NAMTRADET, he was selected for enrollment in NESEP and attended the University of New Mexico (UNM).

Ensign Taylor reported to USS BARBEY (FF-1088) in July 1977 where he served as the Communications Officer and the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer until his transfer in August 1980. His next assignment took him back to New Mexico where he served as the Weapons Test Officer and Officer-In-Charge of the land based test sited, "Desert Ship", at the White Sands Missle Test Range.

Following Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, Lieutenant Taylor reported to USS MARVIN SHEILDS (FF-1066) as the Operations Officer. He also served as the weapons department head for several months. Duty as the Combat Systems Officer on the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 21 (CDS-21) followed.

Lieutenant Commander Taylor's next assignment was as the navigator in the battle ship USS MISSOURI (BB-63). His Executive Officer tour in USS KIRK (FF-1087) was followed by duty as the Chief Staff Officer of CDS-31. Commander Taylor reported to Commander, Naval Surface Foreces U. S. Pacific Fleet in February 1992.

Commander Taylor holds an advanced degree in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology, a Masters of Arts in Education from Chapman University, Orange, California as well as a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from UNM.

Commander Taylor's personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Achievement Medal, and Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star. Service and campaign awards include Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy "E', Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Commander Taylor is married to the former Patricia Ivey of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Son of Melvin Taylor, Sr. and Georgia Long, both of Guthrie

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