US Navy Captain. Taussig graduated from Western High School in Washington in 1937. He enrolled at the Naval Academy the same year and graduated in 1941. His first assignment was aboard the U.S.S. Nevada as aide to the executive officer. In late 1941 the Nevada was moored at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7th when the Japanese attacked the fleet. Taussig at the time was the senior officer in charge of the anti-aircraft batteries and was on deck at the initiation of the Japanese attack. During the attack he was struck in the thigh by a bullet or a piece of shrapnel which went completely through his thigh. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions and his refusal to leave his post even though badly injured. He was hospitalized for the injuries and after fifteen operations, in 1946 his leg was amputated. After the war he graduated from George Washington University with a law degree and continued his affiliation with the Navy teaching at the Academy in the early 1950's. He became the Secretary Treasurer of the Naval Academy and in 1954 retired from the service. In 1956 he ran for Congress in the Republican primary, but lost the election. He spent the next twenty five years working for various government entities in public relations. He was appointed by President Reagan as the Navy's deputy assistant secretary of equal opportunity in 1981 and later became the assistant undersecretary for safety. In 1987 he helped develop the Navy helicopter unit's emergency air supply system called an "emergency egress device," which Navy officials claim saved 140 pilots. He left government service in 1993 and retired to his home in Annapolis.
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Joseph Knefler Taussig, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. As senior officer present in the anti-aircraft battery of the U.S.S. NEVADA, although seriously wounded, Ensign Taussig refused to leave his battle station and insisted on continuing the control of his battery's fire until he was forcefully taken from his station and lowered in a stretcher, other means of descent being blocked by fire. The conduct of Ensign Taussig throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Joseph Knefler Taussig, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. As senior officer present in the anti-aircraft battery of the U.S.S. NEVADA, although seriously wounded, Ensign Taussig refused to leave his battle station and insisted on continuing the control of his battery's fire until he was forcefully taken from his station and lowered in a stretcher, other means of descent being blocked by fire. The conduct of Ensign Taussig throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
US Navy Captain. Taussig graduated from Western High School in Washington in 1937. He enrolled at the Naval Academy the same year and graduated in 1941. His first assignment was aboard the U.S.S. Nevada as aide to the executive officer. In late 1941 the Nevada was moored at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7th when the Japanese attacked the fleet. Taussig at the time was the senior officer in charge of the anti-aircraft batteries and was on deck at the initiation of the Japanese attack. During the attack he was struck in the thigh by a bullet or a piece of shrapnel which went completely through his thigh. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions and his refusal to leave his post even though badly injured. He was hospitalized for the injuries and after fifteen operations, in 1946 his leg was amputated. After the war he graduated from George Washington University with a law degree and continued his affiliation with the Navy teaching at the Academy in the early 1950's. He became the Secretary Treasurer of the Naval Academy and in 1954 retired from the service. In 1956 he ran for Congress in the Republican primary, but lost the election. He spent the next twenty five years working for various government entities in public relations. He was appointed by President Reagan as the Navy's deputy assistant secretary of equal opportunity in 1981 and later became the assistant undersecretary for safety. In 1987 he helped develop the Navy helicopter unit's emergency air supply system called an "emergency egress device," which Navy officials claim saved 140 pilots. He left government service in 1993 and retired to his home in Annapolis.
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Joseph Knefler Taussig, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. As senior officer present in the anti-aircraft battery of the U.S.S. NEVADA, although seriously wounded, Ensign Taussig refused to leave his battle station and insisted on continuing the control of his battery's fire until he was forcefully taken from his station and lowered in a stretcher, other means of descent being blocked by fire. The conduct of Ensign Taussig throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
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Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Joseph Knefler Taussig, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. As senior officer present in the anti-aircraft battery of the U.S.S. NEVADA, although seriously wounded, Ensign Taussig refused to leave his battle station and insisted on continuing the control of his battery's fire until he was forcefully taken from his station and lowered in a stretcher, other means of descent being blocked by fire. The conduct of Ensign Taussig throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Contributor:
BarryC
