Samuel Rector [1]
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed in action off of Leyte Island when his ship was sunk. Memorial service at Lowell Baptist Church. Memorial marker at Ft. McKinley, Manila, PI. Samuel Otto Rector was born 3/3/1921 in TN and died 12/3/1944. He was originally on the USS Eisner but missed the ship when he went back to NY. He was placed on the USS Cooper, which sunk 12/3/1944 in Leyte Gulf, Philippines. In 2005 a professional diver placed a plaque on the shipwreck. It is documented in the video, USS Cooper: Return to Ormoc Bay. His brother, Reuben Wesley Rector, was killed at the Battle of the Bulge on 1/30/1945, less than two months after Otto died. At the time of his death, Reuben was not aware that his younger brother had died. (Information from Phyllis Crenshaw, niece)
Age at Death: 23
Image Source: Phyllis Crenshaw, niece
Mrs. Edna Mae Jones Rector - Paw Creek, Charlotte, NC
Gray Abigail Rector - Paw Creek, NC
Mrs. Jennie Gray Rector (deceased), Lowell R. B. Rector - Cramerton
Barbara, Evelyn, and Jennie Rector - Cramerton, Carl Rector - Cramerton, Gypsy Montgomery - Lowell, Mrs. Lucille Jackson - Lowell, Mrs. Maude Hanah - Lowell, Mrs. Rose Mayne - Cramerton, PFC Reuben Rector, glider infantry - France
Mr. and Mrs. Boone Jones of Paw Creek - Parents-in-law
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