World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Arthur J. Rector
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Hamilton County, Ohio
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY MARCH 7, 1941 AT FORT THOMAS, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE VAST ARMADA THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, D-DAY TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1944, CODE NAME: OPERATION OVERLORD. SERVED WITH THE 18TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1ST INFANTRY ‘BIG RED ONE’ DIVISION ATTACHED TO THE U.S. 1ST ARMY. HE WENT ASHORE ON OMAHA BEACH, BATTLE OF NORMANDY WITH THE 1ST WAVE OF TROOPS AT 0630 HOURS. KILLED IN ACTION DURING THE INITIAL ASSAULT ON THE BEACHHEAD AND IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.