Vet remembers 'Lesser Heroes'

OREM — Zane Taylor was just a simple 18-year-old from Ephraim who had plans of attending college when he received a letter from the president calling him to service in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Taylor, now 83, remembers it like it was yesterday.

His mind is full of his own personal experiences as well as some that many other former infantrymen must share. But what Taylor wants the most is not recognition of his own service, but rather for people to remember the sacrifices made by many during that era.

"I think a lot about all the people that were involved in World War II," Taylor said. "I think of the farmers, those who were building ships and airplanes or making rifles and cannons and bullets. World War II took effort from the entire country."

Just this year, Taylor, a retired engineer, released a book titled "Lesser Heroes," which is a compilation of war stories that he says shows the everyday life of a soldier in Gen. George S. Patton's 3rd Army.

Taylor wanted for years to write his war experiences as well as a personal history that he could pass along to his family, and as he began the process, he found that there was a lot of interest in the war stories outside his family.

"I tried to portray what the common infantryman did," he said. "I have a lot of day-to-day experiences mixed with some exciting moments as well. But I didn't want the book to be played up about me. I think the people in this country working together to produce what we needed at war and at home is what was really important."

While Taylor did receive a Purple Heart for his service in France, Germany and Belgium, he sees nothing extraordinary about what he did.

"In my book I think you will see that I have paid tribute to everybody," he said. "We all might not be big newspaper heroes but we all did our part in the war. That is what it means to me, and I hope that we can get out that message so we can honor all of the lesser heroes."

Taylor lives in Orem, where he and his wife, Beth, raised their seven children. Since the book came out they have held several appearances at bookstores throughout Utah County; created a Web site, www.lesserheroesbook.com; and will promote the book in Salt Lake City in coming months.

Beth Taylor was an English major, and she assisted her husband not only with encouragement, but also with writing mechanics. She had begged him to write his experiences and has been so proud of how it has turned out.

"He has received many letters from people saying that the book really resonates with them, and we will see people periodically and it really seems as if everyone has enjoyed the book," she said. "I was so excited because I have wanted him to do those stories for a long, long time."

The book begins with a short personal history of Taylor, something he was reluctant to include because of fear it might stop people from reading. But the publishers liked it and told him it was necessary to help readers know the man who was going through the experiences. Thirty-six pages of the book are lined with photos that help paint a clear picture of the events taking place.

Taylor's personal wish is that while people go about their business on Veterans Day, they might find time to remember the lesser heroes who have had something to do with this country being as blessed as it is today.

"I think people need to be reminded that it took a total effort," he said. "There are many lesser heroes all throughout America."

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E-mail: ethomas@desnews.com