Harry Taylor (engineer)

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Harry Taylor
Major General Harry Taylor, Chief of Engineers 1924–1926
Born	(1862-06-26)June 26, 1862 Tilton, New Hampshire
Died	January 27, 1930(1930-01-27) (aged 67) Washington, D.C.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1884–1926
Rank	Major General
Commands	Chief Engineer, American Expeditionary Force Chief of Engineers
Wars	World War I Western Front
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Honor

Harry Taylor (June 26, 1862 – January 27, 1930) was a U.S. Army officer who fought in World War I, and who served for a time as Chief of Engineers.

Taylor was born in Tilton, New Hampshire, and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1884 and commissioned in the Corps of Engineers.

After serving in engineer offices in Wilmington, North Carolina, and New York City, Taylor served from 1891 to 1900 on fortifications and rivers and harbors construction work in Oregon and Washington. Later he pursued similar work in New England and New York. Transferred to the Philippines, he supervised all fortification work there in 1904–05. Taylor was district engineer in New London, Connecticut, from 1906 to 1911. He then headed the River and Harbor Division in the Office of the Chief of Engineers for five years.

During World War I he served as chief engineer, American Expeditionary Forces in France (mid-1917 to mid-1918). In this capacity he supervised the construction of railways, barracks, wharves, and shelters throughout France. Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the French Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honor).

After serving as assistant chief of engineers six years, he was named major general, Chief of Engineers, on June 19, 1924. Wilson Dam was completed during his tenure. General Taylor retired June 26, 1926. He died from pneumonia on January 27, 1930, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

In 1943, the navy transport ship USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145) was named in his honor.

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