How did Jack Taylor go from the Navy to Enterprise Rent-A-Car?

Jack Taylor. World War II Hellcat fighter pilot who started a 7-car leasing business in 1957 and built it into Enterprise, one of the world’s largest car rental companies.

In the military

1942 to 1945, naval aviator flying the F6F Hellcat from the carriers USS Essex (CV-9) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) in the Pacific with Air Group 15 under Cdr. David McCampbell, whose wingman he flew on several missions. Awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation; 2 confirmed aerial victories.

The transition

• Resigned his commission after the war; in his own account, the physical exam to stay on was ‘such a humiliating experience’ that he quit.
• Started a delivery service for department stores after the war.
• Joined Lindburg Cadillac in St. Louis as sales manager in 1948.
• In 1957, about 12 years after the war, took a 50% pay cut and invested $25,000 for 25% of a new leasing business, Executive Leasing Company, which started with 7 cars.
• Renamed the business Enterprise in 1969 after the carrier he served on.
• Said that after carrier landings and enemy fire, the risk of starting his own company ‘didn’t seem all that big a deal’.

What came next

• Built Enterprise from 7 cars (1957) to 6,000 cars (1980) and 50,000 vehicles (1989), when it became Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
• Passed $1 billion in revenue in 1992 and $2 billion in 1995; later acquired National Car Rental and Alamo (2007), with annual revenue approaching $20 billion.
• Major philanthropist: gifts included $45 million to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, $40 million to the St. Louis Symphony and $30 million to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
• Died July 2, 2016 in St. Louis, aged 94.

In Taylor’s own words

“I look upon my Naval experience as one of the best things that have happened in my life.” (Oral history interview with Dave Winkler)

“My whole Navy experience, the people, the way people conduct themselves, the basic morality of it, I look upon my Naval experience as one of the best things that have happened in my life.” (Naval Historical Foundation oral history)

“I didn’t want to be a hero; I wanted to get back.” (Naval Historical Foundation oral history)

“Good wingmen feel good about what they do. You’re not supposed to see how much of a score you can run up.” (Naval Historical Foundation oral history)

“It’s nice if you do, but your main deal is to protect your buddy.” (Naval Historical Foundation oral history)

“I went down to take my physical and it was such a humiliating experience, I resigned my commission.” (Naval Historical Foundation oral history)

Lessons for your own transition

• Combat taught Taylor what real risk is; measured against that, a business risk felt manageable. Veterans can use the same perspective.
• He did not jump straight to founding a company; he spent about a decade in sales at a car dealership, learning the industry, before starting Enterprise.
• The wingman mindset (protect your people) became his business rule: take care of customers and employees first.

More veterans who made the leap

See them all, and practical steps for leaving after a long career: How do I transition from the military to civilian work after 30 years?.