Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Edward
Franklin
Rector
September 28, 1916

–

April 26, 2001

Born:

Marshall

, 

North Carolina

Home:

Marshall

, 

North Carolina

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Edward Rector joined the U.S. Navy in 1939 as was commissioned as a Naval Aviator before resigning his commission to serve with the AVG “Flying Tigers” in China in 1941. He was credited with the AVG’s first aerial victory, netting 4.75 aerial victories before the AVG was disbanded in 1942. Transferring to the U.S. Army Air Force, he subsequently became a World War II ACE with 3 more victories for a wartime total of 7.75. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1962 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Edward Franklin Rector (ASN: 0-889016), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Rector culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    76th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    10th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Edward Franklin Rector (ASN: 0-889016), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    76th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    10th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, China Air Task Force, General Orders No. 18 (November 28, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Edward Franklin Rector (ASN: 0-889016), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Rector, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    76th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    23d Fighter Group

    Division:

    10th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Edward Franklin Rector (ASN: 0-889016), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.