Irvine Navy Reservist Killed In Iraq
Among Casualties In Baghdad Embassy Attack
Feb 1, 2005 6:47 am US/Pacific
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) Lt. Cmdr. Keith Edward Taylor, a Navy reservist who previously served in Bosnia and Haiti, was among those killed last weekend in a rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, officials said.
Taylor, 47, helped award and close out contracts granted to reconstruct Iraq. As chief of contracting for the transportation and communication sector he dealt with contracts for road improvements, water-treatment plants and schools.
"He was a top-performing guy and always took the tough jobs," said Capt. Steve Ethridge, who worked with Taylor a few years ago at the Naval Air Force, Pacific in San Diego.
He said Taylor was positive and enjoyed talking to everyone.
"He would have a smile on his face most of the time," Ethridge said. "He's a good man, a good man."
Taylor lived in Irvine, but grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., where he joined the Navy after graduating from Sandalwood High School in 1975. He became a reservist about 14 years ago.
Family members gathered at his Irvine home Monday, where an American flag was draped near the door, but declined to comment on his death.
Taylor had five weeks left on a six-month deployment and is survived by a wife and three young daughters.
(© 2005 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )
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