World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Donald L. Rector
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Franklin County, Missouri
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: SERGEANT. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY JULY 31, 1940 AT JEFFERSON BARRACKS, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. SERVED IN EUROPE WITH A-COMPANY, 6TH ARMORED INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1ST ARMORED ‘OLD IRONSIDES’ DIVISION ATTACHED TO THE NORTHERN TASK FORCE. THE 1ST ARMORED DIVISION BECAME THE FIRST AMERICAN ARMORED DIVISION TO SEE COMBAT IN WWII. KILLED IN ACTION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1942 IN THE VICINITY OF BEDJA, TUNISIA DURING THE INVASION OF NORTHWEST AFRICA ‘OPERATION TORCH’. HE WAS INTERRED IN A BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY AND AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, FOR BURIAL IN THE UNION CEMETERY, BLAND, MISSOURI.