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Taylor Connors, a 24-year-old Pleasant View, Utah native, died Tuesday, June 7, with family by his bedside, the US Naval Academy said.
“Our Naval Academy community is mourning a tragic loss this week of a life taken far too soon – Midshipman Taylor Connors honorably served his nation as a Marine and as a midshipman,” said Vice Adm. Sean Buck, 63rd Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy.
Connors attended Utah Military Academy where he attained the rank of group commander, responsible for over 250 cadets. He played varsity soccer and wrestled, was a member of the National Honor Society and a Boy Scout.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2016, achieving the rank of corporal before receiving a Secretary of the Navy nomination for an appointment to the Naval Academy. Connors reported to Annapolis with the class of 2023 in June of 2019.
He was a member of the 23rd, 2nd, and 16th Companies, a physics major, and was on the Jiu-jitsu team. Connors was a member of the Semper Fi Society and competed with his companymates as an intramural sports athlete.
He was a leader amongst his peers, the Naval Academy said. Last summer, Connors served as a Plebe Summer squad leader, a fundamental leadership role responsible for transitioning newly reported midshipman candidates from civilians to basically trained midshipmen prepared to join the Brigade. During the Fall 2021 semester, Connors served as the 2nd Company First Sergeant, working alongside the company commander and executive officer, responsible for ensuring accountability during day-to-day company operations.
“Taylor Connors was the best of us. He was a true mentor and leader among his peers but I know he saw himself as a Marine infantryman first and foremost,” said Marine Corps Maj. David R. Emison II, the Naval Academy’s training officer and a mentor to Connors. “There is something to be said about an ethos like the one he exemplified. Taylor was intensely bright, thoughtful, and a man of faith.”
As a Marine rifleman and honor graduate of the Corporal’s course, Connors was assigned to FAST Company Bravo, Marine Corps Security Forces out of Yorktown, Virginia, and deployed to Bahrain and Rota, Spain. He was noted for volunteer work with a local school in Bahrain and an animal refuge in Rota, and his chain of command described him as “intelligent, a critical thinker, very thoughtful, physically tough and honest --- a Blue Chip Marine.”
Connors was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and was authorized to wear the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2); Expert Rifle Qualification Badge (2); and Expert Pistol Qualification Badge (2).
The Midshipmen Development Center, Chaplain’s Center, and chain of command are providing grief counseling and support services to midshipmen, faculty, and staff.
Funeral arrangements are pending; information on this will be provided as it becomes available. The Naval Academy will continue to support Connors’s family, friends, and loved ones during this time of grief.
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