Vice Admiral Rodney Graham Taylor, was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, serving as Chief of Navy from 1994 to 1997.
11 Facts About Rodney Taylor
1.
2.
Rodney Taylor was born in the Queensland town of Toowoomba on 11 June 1940, the second son of Len and Vera Rodney Taylor.
3.
In December 1957, Rodney Taylor graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College and was awarded the Queen's Medal as dux of his year as well as the Grand Aggregate Prize, and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy.
4.
Brisbane's stint during the Vietnam War was to last seven months, for which Rodney Taylor was to receive a Mention in Despatches for his performance.
5.
Rodney Taylor captained the destroyer until 1980, during which time he learnt every member of the ship's company by name and was known among the crew as "Rocket Rod".
6.
In 1985, Rodney Taylor attended the National Defence College of Canada.
7.
Rodney Taylor was consequently appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 1992 Australia Day Honours List for his efforts as Assistant Chief of Defence Force during the Gulf War.
8.
In 1994, Rodney Taylor was promoted to vice admiral and appointed Chief of Naval Staff.
9.
Rodney Taylor implemented reforms concerning pay, conditions and rank structure as well as leading the Royal Australian Navy to become more tolerant towards homosexuals and women at sea.
10.
Just prior to his retirement, Rodney Taylor was able to lessen the impact of some of the reform proposals and advocated that the Collins class submarine project proceed.
11.
On 1 September 2002, Rodney Taylor died of lung cancer at the age of 62; he had previously undergone heart surgery in 1993.