Maxwell D. Taylor, American general and diplomat, United States Ambassador to South Vietnam (d. 1987)
Maxwell Davenport Taylor (August 26, 1901 – April 19, 1987) was a senior United States Army officer and diplomat of the mid-20th century. He served with distinction in World War II, most notably as commander of the 101st Airborne Division, nicknamed "The Screaming Eagles."

After the war, he served as the fifth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, having been appointed by President John F. Kennedy. He is the father of biographer and historian John Maxwell Taylor and of military historian and author Thomas Happer Taylor.

A controversial figure, Taylor along with Robert McNamara was considered to be the one that played major role during the early days of Vietnam War to send more combat troops to Vietnam and increase the combat status in Vietnam.