Skip to main content

Naval History and Heritage Command
T
 » 
2019.17 Herbert H. Taylor Photo Collection
2019.17 Herbert H. Taylor Photo Collection

Topic
  • Food
  • Relief Efforts--Humanitarian Aid-Rescue
  • Music and Perfomance
  • Places-Shore Facilities--Bases-Stations-Labs-Installations
  • Recreation-Sports
  • Foreign Military
  • Vehicles
Document Type
  • Finding Aids Glossaries Guides
  • Photograph
Wars & Conflicts
  • Korean Conflict 1950-1954
  • World War II 1939-1945
Navy Communities
File Formats
  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC
Author Name
Place of Event
Recipient Name
Title: Herbert H. Taylor Photo Collection
Description: Extensive collection of 361 loose photographs and two albums related to WWII and Korean War as taken by Photographer’s Mate Herbert H. Taylor, as well as other US Navy photographers (there is no indication which photographs Taylor took). Taylor served from February 1944 through the end of WWII, most of his duty was in the Aleutian Islands, AK (US Navy Air Facility, Amchitka, Alaska). He was recalled to the Navy during the Korean War, spending much of his time in Japan (possibility attached to Far East Headquarters). Photographs from Korea were developed in the Navy Forces Far East Photo Lab. Approximately 64 have official captions (out of 361).
Accession#: 2019.17
Donor: Herbert H. Taylor Jr.
Copyright Owner: Naval History & Heritage Command
Circa: 1943-1944 and 1950-1951
Format: Black & white photographs

Collection Guide: 

WWII photographs are undated, but suggest they are circa 1943-1944 (1943 is the year the Naval Air Facilities on Amchitka were constructed). These images appear to be a combination of official and personal photos (there are no captions and it is unknown if Taylor was the photographer). Both originally were housed in a three ring binder and in a photo album. Subject matter includes:

  • Aircraft over the Alaskan mountains and on base

  • Staff and crew assigned to station

  • Aviation/aircraft personnel

  • Base mascots (dog)

  • Sailors driving equipment on base

  • Interior of Quonset hut mess hall (large population of African American men and women)

  • Recreation center with musical and dance performances (USO?) and the “Kings of Rhythm” band (made of up of African American members)

  • General base scenes including Quonset hut facilities (including what appears to be a club, library, store and sports courts)

  • Scenic views (aerial and land) of the surrounding area of Amchitka

  • Base basketball teams

Korean War photographs dated 1950-1951. These images mostly do not show the “war” itself but rather photographs associated with support, social activities, general naval activities, refugee assistance, etc.   There are several uncaptioned images that do show bombings and landing craft. Subject matter includes:

  • Senior members of US Navy and Army (including General Douglas MacArthur) meeting and inspecting Korean fighting area and Far East Command

  • Christmas fleet activities for local children in Yokosuka, Japan

  • Sailors on liberty in Korea

  • Aerials showing bombing damage

  • Social events and activities

  • Acts of gratitude by the South Korean military and citizens

  • Ships seen include: USS Leyte (CV-32), USS Montague (AKA-98), USS Boxer (CV-21), USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) and USS Missouri (BB-63)

  • Medical care for sailors, soldiers, and Marines

  • Semaphore

  • Loading cargo and supplies aboard ship

  • Korean refugees

  • Proving aid and assistance to Koreans

  • US Navy transporting troops and supplies out of a North Korean sector

  • Shipboard activities such as maintenance and system checks

  • Receiving and sorting mail

  • Royal Marine Commandos on maneuvers and combat action

  • Navy chorus from Headquarters of Commander Naval Forces in the Far East

  • Various members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army performing various duties

  • City scenes in Korea

For information about the rest of the collection: nhhcphotoarchives@navy.mil