Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He had been overseas since April 1944. He was wounded in action on January 24, 1945, near Strasbourg, France. He died of wounds on January 26 or 28th, 1945. Rayburn was buried in a military cemetery in Epimal, France. His memorial service was at Second Presbyterian Church in Charlotte on April 15, 1945.
Age at Death: 26
Image Source: Carolina Room photo
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed in action on Luzon. Memorial marker at Ft. McKinley, Manila, PI.
Age at Death: 28
Image Source: CN 3-13-45
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Hit during a raid on Wilhelmshayen, Germany, he nursed the plane back to England but died in the crash landing. A memorial fund to benefit wounded airmen was created in his name by Readers Digest.
Age at Death: Unavailable
Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
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.
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Killed in action. Listed on the Mecklenburg County YMCA Honor List.
Age at Death: Unavailable
Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: A 20 year veteran who was Asst Director of the Parris Island Marine band for many years. While on the way back to the Pacific area he became ill and was hospitalized in San Francisco, where he died. Burial in Early Branch, SC on Nov 27.
Age at Death: 44
Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: US tanks had knocked out a German patrol near his command post. While pursuing the German soldiers, he was fired upon and hit just above the ear, dying instantly. He was taken to a nearby military cemetery and buried. Memorial service at Broad Street Methodist Church, Statesville, NC, on Feb 11, 1945.
Age at Death: Unavailable
Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He was killed in a plane crash when his bombardment squadron was being transferred to MacDill Field, FL to Ardmore, OK. His funeral was at Hovis Chapel in Charlotte. His burial was in the Providence Church Cemetery.
Age at Death: 28
Image Source: The Charlotte News 7-16-1943
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Died non-battle.
Age at Death: Unavailable
Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: Listed on the 1946 YMCA Honor List.
Age at Death: Unavailable
Image Source: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library