After entry of the
United States into the war in December 1941, Taylor was transferred to
North Africa, where he served as a staff member of Advanced Echelon Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet, and in October as a staff member to the Naval Operating Base Commander in
Oran,
Algeria. In February 1943, Taylor briefly led
26th Infantry Regiment and on 20 April of the same year, he was transferred back to the 16th Infantry Regiment, where he replaced Colonel d'Alary Fechet as regimental commander. He then commanded the Regiment during the
Allied invasion of Sicily and
Omaha Beach. His executive officer during this time was
James K. Woolnough, later to become a four star general.
Omaha Beach He arrived on the beach in a later wave, about 0800. A
colonel at the time, he was still the regimental commander for the
16th Infantry Regiment, which took many casualties in the initial assault. He found the remnants of his exhausted and
shell-shocked men pinned down all along the seawall. He was able to motivate, organize and lead their attack inland. He is remembered best for his most famous quote from
Omaha Beach: Taylor is sometimes confused with
General Norman Cota, who was also on the beach that day, but in a different sector with a different unit, the
U.S. 29th Infantry Division. Both officers rallied the troops under fire. In the film
The Longest Day General Cota (played by
Robert Mitchum) was given Taylor's line.
Distinguished Service Cross For this action, George Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The official U.S. Army citation for Taylor's Distinguished Service Cross reads: :
General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944) :
Action Date: 6-Jun-44 :
Name: George A. Taylor :
Service: Army :
Rank: Colonel :
Company: Commanding Officer :
Regiment: 16th Infantry Regiment :
Division: 1st Infantry Division :
Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) George A. Taylor (ASN: 0-14922), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Colonel Taylor landed during the most crucial and threatening period of the invasion operation. Thousands of men lay huddled on a narrow beachhead, their organizations and leaders cut down by the disastrous enemy fire. Without hesitation, unmindful of the snipe and machine gun fire which was sweeping the beach, Colonel Taylor began to reorganize the units. While continuously exposed to this murderous fire, Colonel Taylor never slackened in his efforts in directing and coordinating the attack. By his initiative and leadership, he was able to clear an exit from the beach and begin moving groups of men from the crowded beachhead. This was the only exit opened in the early part of the assault and subsequent events proved it to be one of the most vital points contributing to the success of this operation. The high professional skill and outstanding courage exhibited by Colonel Taylor exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army. ==Postwar life==