Joseph Knefler Taussig Jr. (May 28, 1920 – December 14, 1999) was a United States Navy officer during and after World War II, and a Navy civilian official in the 1980s. He was the great-grandson of Frederick Knefler, the grandson of Rear Admiral Edward David Taussig, the son of Vice Admiral Joseph Taussig, the son in law of Robert Carney. He was also the brother in law of George Philip for whom the USS George Philip was named.
Taussig was the officer of the deck of USS Nevada and senior officer in charge of her anti-aircraft batteries during the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.[4] Taussig was severely wounded but refused to leave his station until the crew forcibly carried him away. He ended up having his leg amputated, then returned to duty three days later.[5] He received the Navy Cross for his actions that day.[6][3][7]
When he retired from active duty in 1954, at age 34, he was the youngest captain in the Navy.[6]
Civilian service
Taussig as civilian Defense Department employee in 1983
In 1981 he returned to Navy service as a civilian.[8] Taussig was "the [U.S.] Navy's first designated high-level safety specialist" and self-styled "safety czar", appointed as a civilian special assistant to the Secretary of the Navy in 1985.[9] He twice received the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.[6]
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.[13]
