Roy Tackett
Encyclopedia
Roy Tackett was a rifleman
with the United States Marine Corps
during World War II
who was credited with the introduction of science fiction
to Japan
following the war when he was stationed in that nation as part of the American occupation.
. After retiring the Marines in 1962 with 20 years of service Roy went on to co-found Bubonicon
with fellow author Robert E. Vardeman
in 1969, the same year he was the Guest of Honor at Westercon
. Additionally he produced more than 100 issues of his fanzine Dynatron during the 1960s, and was the TransAtlantic Fan Fund winner for 1976.
Roy was the Fan Guest of Honor at the 1997 Worldcon
and was inducted in to the Science Fiction Hall of Fame
in a ceremony held in San Antonio, Texas
. As part of the run up to the ceremony in San Antonio, Mojo Press released The Least Horrible of Roy Tackett which consisted of selected short stories he had written over the previous 50 years.
along with his wife, and fellow Marine, of over 40 years, Crystal Tackett (1923-1989). In 2008, fellow science fiction writer and long time friend Jack Speer
was buried near Tackett's plot.
MOS 0311
MOS 0311 is the United States Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty code for Rifleman. It is the primary infantry MOS for the Marine Corps.-General information:...
with the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who was credited with the introduction of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
following the war when he was stationed in that nation as part of the American occupation.
Career
During the early 1950s Tackett was a Drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris IslandMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
. After retiring the Marines in 1962 with 20 years of service Roy went on to co-found Bubonicon
Bubonicon
Bubonicon is an annual multigenre convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, typically held during the last weekend of August. It is the largest general-interest science fiction convention in New Mexico and among the oldest in the Southwest.-History:...
with fellow author Robert E. Vardeman
Robert E. Vardeman
Robert Edward Vardeman is an American science fiction fan and writer. He got his start in writing by writing for science fiction fanzines, and was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer. Vardeman is one of the founders of Bubonicon, a science fiction convention in Albuquerque, New...
in 1969, the same year he was the Guest of Honor at Westercon
Westercon
Westercon is a regional science fiction and fantasy convention founded in September 1948 by Walter J. "Doc" Dougherty of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society...
. Additionally he produced more than 100 issues of his fanzine Dynatron during the 1960s, and was the TransAtlantic Fan Fund winner for 1976.
Roy was the Fan Guest of Honor at the 1997 Worldcon
55th World Science Fiction Convention
The 55th World Science Fiction Convention , was LoneStarCon 2, also known as "The Second Occasional LoneStarCon Science Fiction Convention & Chili Cook-off". The convention was held August 28–September 1, 1997, at the Marriott Rivercenter, Marriott Riverwalk, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention...
and was inducted in to the Science Fiction Hall of Fame
Science Fiction Hall of Fame
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame can refer to:*Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1994**The hall of fame located there...
in a ceremony held in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. As part of the run up to the ceremony in San Antonio, Mojo Press released The Least Horrible of Roy Tackett which consisted of selected short stories he had written over the previous 50 years.
Personal life
Roy Tackett died in 2003 of heart failure brought on by years of heavy smoking, and was buried in the Santa Fe National CemeterySanta Fe National Cemetery
Santa Fe National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the city of Santa Fe, in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 39,695 interments...
along with his wife, and fellow Marine, of over 40 years, Crystal Tackett (1923-1989). In 2008, fellow science fiction writer and long time friend Jack Speer
Jack Speer
John Bristol Speer was an attorney, practicing law for over 60 years; a judge; and a member of the Washington House of Representatives....
was buried near Tackett's plot.