Robert Taplett
Encyclopedia
Robert Donald Taplett was a highly decorated United States Marine who was most notable for commanding 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir
during the Korean War
for which he was awarded the Navy Cross
— the second highest medal for valor in the United States Armed Forces
.
Taplett served with distinction in the Marine Corps for 20 years. He served aboard ship in the Pacific Theater
during World War II
. During the Korean War, he served as commander of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he authored a book that chronicled his experiences during the Korean War.
on December 10, 1918. He attended the University of South Dakota
where he joined the Phi Delta Theta
fraternity. He graduated with honors in 1940. Although he was a member of the Army ROTC, he resigned his commission and joined the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant.
, Taplett was aboard the USS Salt Lake City
which was not damaged during the assault. The Salt Lake City was one of only a handful of ships able to pursue the Japanese fleet. Taplett served on the ship for three years and participated in numerous campaigns in the Pacific Theater
, including the Battle of the Coral Sea
and the Battle of the Aleutian Islands
in 1943. After the war, Taplett, now a Colonel
, was assigned as the commanding officer of the Navy supply barracks first at Clearview, Utah
, and subsequently at Treasure Island
in San Francisco Bay
and at the Naval Air Station Alameda
, California.
immediately after the outbreak of hostilities
. He was assigned to be the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and participated in numerous battles. His unit held the perimeter at Pusan
and led the Inchon landing taking Wolmi-do Island(Battle of Inchon
), which was the gateway to Inchon. He led the 3rd, 5th Marines through the gates of Soul to liberate the South Korean State House.
During the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, Taplett distinguished himself. From November 27, to December 10, 1950, he supported the strategic fall back of United States forces who were outnumbered by Chinese forces nearly 5 to 1. Despite the severe cold and harsh weather which was inflicted on him and his men, they fought desperately to clear the road which allowed for escape from the reservoir. Of the roughly 1,300 men in his unit who began the fight, only 326 able bodied Marines were left. For his leadership during the battle, Taplett was awarded the Navy Cross.
in 1951 and 1952. In 1957 through 1959, he was based in Marine Corps Base Hawaii
, although most of his time was spent training troops in Okinawa and the Philippines
. Taplett was also a guest lecturer to various military units throughout the country speaking on the importance of close air support
for ground troops. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1960, citing his displeasure with not being able to work directly with his troops and his military pay, which was not enough to support six children.
in 1974. He joined the U.S. Postal Service and fully retired in 1993. He went back to visit Korea twice and eventually wrote a book, Darkhorse Six (2003), which chronicled his experiences in Korea.
He and wife Patricia Kingston Taplett had six children: Claire Ross Taplett, Robert Howard Taplett, Christine Kingston Taplett, Marty Kingston Taplett, Martin Ross Taplett, and Margot Barbara Taplett. He had nine grandchildren: Amanda Kingston Taplett, John Cawley Taplett, Lydia Ross Taplett, Mary Breen Taplett, Lindsey Marie Sallada, Liane Ross Sallada, Robert Matthew Sallada, Robert Ian Taplett, and Sean Robert Taplett.
Colonel Robert Taplett died on December 17, 2004 of congestive heart failure and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
with full military honors
.
3rd Battalion 5th Marines
3rd Battalion 5th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps. The battalion, nicknamed "Dark Horse", is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and consists of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors...
during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Changjin Lake Campaign ,Official Chinese sources refer to this battle as the Second Phase Campaign Eastern Sector . The Western Sector is the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River. was a decisive battle in the Korean War...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
for which he was awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
— the second highest medal for valor in the United States Armed Forces
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
.
Taplett served with distinction in the Marine Corps for 20 years. He served aboard ship in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During the Korean War, he served as commander of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
3rd Battalion 5th Marines
3rd Battalion 5th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps. The battalion, nicknamed "Dark Horse", is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and consists of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors...
. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he authored a book that chronicled his experiences during the Korean War.
Biography
Taplett was born in Tyndall, South DakotaTyndall, South Dakota
Tyndall is a city in Bon Homme County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 1,365 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Bon Homme County.-Geography:Tyndall is located at ....
on December 10, 1918. He attended the University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
where he joined the Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
fraternity. He graduated with honors in 1940. Although he was a member of the Army ROTC, he resigned his commission and joined the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant.
World War II
During the attack on Pearl HarborAttack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, Taplett was aboard the USS Salt Lake City
USS Salt Lake City (CA-25)
USS Salt Lake City of the United States Navy was a Pensacola-class heavy cruiser sometimes known as "Swayback Maru". She had the distinction of having taken part in more engagements than any other ship in the fleet...
which was not damaged during the assault. The Salt Lake City was one of only a handful of ships able to pursue the Japanese fleet. Taplett served on the ship for three years and participated in numerous campaigns in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
, including the Battle of the Coral Sea
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...
and the Battle of the Aleutian Islands
Battle of the Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands Campaign was a struggle over the Aleutian Islands, part of Alaska, in the Pacific campaign of World War II starting on 3 June 1942. A small Japanese force occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska, but the remoteness of the islands and the difficulties of weather and terrain meant...
in 1943. After the war, Taplett, now a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, was assigned as the commanding officer of the Navy supply barracks first at Clearview, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, and subsequently at Treasure Island
Treasure Island, California
Treasure Island is an artificial island in the San Francisco Bay between San Francisco and Oakland, and an emerging neighborhood of San Francisco....
in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
and at the Naval Air Station Alameda
Naval Air Station Alameda
Naval Air Station Alameda was a United States Navy Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, on San Francisco Bay.NAS Alameda had two runways: 07-25 and 13-31...
, California.
Korean War
Taplett was dispatched to KoreaKorea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
immediately after the outbreak of hostilities
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. He was assigned to be the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and participated in numerous battles. His unit held the perimeter at Pusan
Battle of Pusan Perimeter
The Battle of Pusan Perimeter was a large-scale battle between United Nations and North Korean forces lasting from August 4 – September 18, 1950. It was one of the first major engagements of the Korean War...
and led the Inchon landing taking Wolmi-do Island(Battle of Inchon
Battle of Inchon
The Battle of Inchon was an amphibious invasion and battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations . The operation involved some 75,000 troops and 261 naval vessels, and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital Seoul two...
), which was the gateway to Inchon. He led the 3rd, 5th Marines through the gates of Soul to liberate the South Korean State House.
During the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, Taplett distinguished himself. From November 27, to December 10, 1950, he supported the strategic fall back of United States forces who were outnumbered by Chinese forces nearly 5 to 1. Despite the severe cold and harsh weather which was inflicted on him and his men, they fought desperately to clear the road which allowed for escape from the reservoir. Of the roughly 1,300 men in his unit who began the fight, only 326 able bodied Marines were left. For his leadership during the battle, Taplett was awarded the Navy Cross.
After the war
After the Korean War, he became the academic director of The Basic School at Marine Corps Base QuanticoMarine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
in 1951 and 1952. In 1957 through 1959, he was based in Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Marine Corps Base Hawaii , formerly Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay and originally Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay, is a U.S. Marine Corps base facility and air station located on the Mokapu Peninsula of windward O'ahu in the City & County of Honolulu. As of the 2000 Census, the base had a...
, although most of his time was spent training troops in Okinawa and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Taplett was also a guest lecturer to various military units throughout the country speaking on the importance of close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
for ground troops. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1960, citing his displeasure with not being able to work directly with his troops and his military pay, which was not enough to support six children.
In retirement
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Taplett and his family moved to Arlington, Virginia where he spent the rest of his life. He earned his Masters degree for George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1974. He joined the U.S. Postal Service and fully retired in 1993. He went back to visit Korea twice and eventually wrote a book, Darkhorse Six (2003), which chronicled his experiences in Korea.
He and wife Patricia Kingston Taplett had six children: Claire Ross Taplett, Robert Howard Taplett, Christine Kingston Taplett, Marty Kingston Taplett, Martin Ross Taplett, and Margot Barbara Taplett. He had nine grandchildren: Amanda Kingston Taplett, John Cawley Taplett, Lydia Ross Taplett, Mary Breen Taplett, Lindsey Marie Sallada, Liane Ross Sallada, Robert Matthew Sallada, Robert Ian Taplett, and Sean Robert Taplett.
Colonel Robert Taplett died on December 17, 2004 of congestive heart failure and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
with full military honors
Military funeral
A military funeral is a specially orchestrated funeral given by a country's military for a soldier, sailor, marine or airman who died in battle, a veteran, or other prominent military figures or heads of state. A military funeral may feature guards of honor, the firing of volley shots as a salute,...
.