For other people with similar names, see
Max Taylor.
Maxwell Davenport Taylor (August 26, 1901 – April 19, 1987) was a senior United States Army officer and diplomat of the mid-20th century.[1] He served with distinction in World War II, most notably as commander of the 101st Airborne Division, nicknamed "The Screaming Eagles."
Quick Facts Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, President ...
Maxwell D. Taylor |
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In office February 29, 1968 – May 1, 1970 |
President | Lyndon B. Johnson Richard M. Nixon |
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Preceded by | Clark Clifford |
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Succeeded by | George Whelan Anderson Jr. |
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In office July 14, 1964 – July 30, 1965 |
President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
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Preceded by | Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. |
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Succeeded by | Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. |
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In office October 1, 1962 – July 1, 1964 |
President | John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson |
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Preceded by | Lyman Lemnitzer |
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Succeeded by | Earle Wheeler |
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In office June 30, 1955 – June 30, 1959 |
President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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Deputy | Williston B. Palmer Lyman Lemnitzer |
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Preceded by | Matthew Ridgway |
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Succeeded by | Lyman Lemnitzer |
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In office April 1, 1955 – June 5, 1955 |
President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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Deputy | Williston B. Palmer Lyman Lemnitzer |
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Preceded by | John E. Hull |
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Succeeded by | Lyman Lemnitzer |
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In office April 1, 1955 – June 5, 1955 |
President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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Preceded by | John E. Hull |
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Succeeded by | Lyman Lemnitzer |
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In office September 4, 1945 – January 28, 1949 |
Preceded by | Francis Bowditch Wilby |
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Succeeded by | Bryant Moore |
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Born | Maxwell Davenport Taylor (1901-08-26)August 26, 1901 Keytesville, Missouri, U.S. |
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Died | April 19, 1987(1987-04-19) (aged 85) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Metropolitan Community College, Missouri |
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Allegiance | United States |
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Branch/service | United States Army |
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Years of service | 1922–1959 1961–1964 |
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Rank | General |
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Unit | Engineer Branch Field Artillery Branch |
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Commands | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chief of Staff of the United States Army United States Military Academy 101st Airborne Division 82nd Airborne Division Artillery 12th Field Artillery Battalion |
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Battles/wars | |
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Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal (4) Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
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After the war, he served as the fifth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, having been appointed by President John F. Kennedy. He is the father of biographer and historian John Maxwell Taylor and of military historian and author Thomas Happer Taylor.
A controversial figure, Taylor was considered, along with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, to have played a major role during the early days of the Vietnam War in the decision to deploy US combat troops to Vietnam and to escalate the conflict more generally.