Kelly E. Taggart

Rear Admiral Kelly E. Taggart (17 December 1932 – 7 May 2014) was a career officer who served in the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps, its successor, the Environmental Science Services Administration Corps (ESSA Corps), and the ESSA Corps's successor, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps). He served as the second Director of the NOAA Corps.

Early life Kelly Edward Taggart was born in Cairo, Illinois, on 17 December 1932, the son of Curtis A. Taggart (1908–1965) and the former Bernice K. Garnett (1910–2000). He later received a master's degree from the School of Public Affairs and Institute of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington. when, in 1980, he was appointed Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps. In 1986 he retired from that position with the rank of rear admiral.

Personal and professional life Taggart married the former Jenice Haldiman on 4 June 1960. He was a member of the University of Missouri's Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Awards

Taggart received the Department of Commerce Silver Medal, the Society of American Military Engineers Karo Award, the Distinguished Engineer Award from the University of Missouri, and many other honors and awards.