Mendel alumnus William “Bill” Taylor ’66 has spent years preserving and sharing a remarkable story of service, survival and remembrance.

Taylor, an author and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, attended Mendel Catholic High School from 1962 to 1966. The Mendel Alumni Association has previously recognized Taylor as an alumnus, author and speaker. Mendel Center for the Humanities

After Mendel, Taylor joined the United States Marine Corps in 1966. He served four years, attained the rank of Sergeant and spent 13 months in Vietnam during 1967 and 1968. During his combat service, Taylor was wounded three times and received three Purple Hearts. Military Veterans Podcast

Telling a Story More Than 50 Years Later

Those experiences eventually became the basis for Taylor’s memoir, On Full Automatic: Surviving 13 Months in Vietnam.

The book follows Taylor from an 18-year-old Marine recruit into the realities of combat with Special Landing Force Alpha, described on his official website as one of the most active Marine combat units of the Vietnam War. Taylor writes about the Marines with whom he served, the battles they endured and the memories that followed them home. On Full Automatic

For Taylor, telling the story has also been about making sure the experiences of his fellow Marines are remembered. His work has led to interviews, podcast appearances and video conversations in which he discusses Vietnam, returning home, writing the book and the importance of veterans sharing their experiences.

Watch Bill Taylor

Here are several conversations featuring Taylor:

Watch William Taylor on YouTube – Video 1

Watch William Taylor on YouTube – Video 2

Watch William Taylor on YouTube – Video 3

Taylor has also been featured on the Military Veterans Podcast, where he discussed growing up, joining the Marine Corps, boot camp, Vietnam, returning home, PTSD and the story behind On Full Automatic. Military Veterans Podcast

Learn More About Bill Taylor

Readers interested in learning more about Taylor, his writing and his experiences can visit:

On Full Automatic – William V. Taylor Jr. Official Website

On Full Automatic on Substack

His official site also includes information about the book and photographs and stories connected with his service in Vietnam. On Full Automatic

More than half a century after graduating from Mendel, Bill Taylor ’66 continues the Monarch tradition of keeping stories, friendships and memories alive for the generations that follow.

Keeping the Fire Burning.