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Dena Caldarelli-Family
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Rector, Darrel Dean, GM3c.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Chautauqua, KS
Last Address Chautauqua, KS
Casualty Date Oct 25, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Torpedoed
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
USS Tang (SS-306) was on her fifth war patrol when she came upon a Japanese convoy. On the morning of 24 October 1944 she had sunk three ships when she fired her 24th and last torpedo. That torpedo turned to the left, making a circular turn. Tang tried to clear the path of the torpedo, but was struck by her own torpedo and sank. Nine men survived, and spent the war as Prisoners of War. Gunner's Mate Third Class Rector was listed as missing in action and later declared dead 7 December 1945.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 6280085
Submarine war patrols:
USS Seadragon (SS-194) - 4th through 7th
USS Tang (SS-306) - 3rd through 5th
CLASS - PENSACOLA Displacement 9,100 Tons, Dimensions, 585' 6" (oa) x 65' 3" x 22' (Max)
Armament 10 x 8"/55, 4 x 5"/25, 6 x 21" tt. 4 Aircraft.
Armor, 4" Belt, 2 1/2 Turrets, 1" Deck, 1 1/4 Conning Tower.
Machinery, 107,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 32.5 Knots, Crew 635.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 27 OCT 1926 by the New York Navy Yard
Launched 25 APR 1929
Commissioned 06 FEB 1930
Reclassified CA 24 01 JUL 1931
Designated as a test ship for "Operation Crossroads" at Bikini Atoll
Survived atomic aerial burst on 1 JUL 1946
Survived atomic subsurface burst on 25 JUL 1946
Decommissioned 26 AUG 1946 Fate: Sunk as target on 10 NOV 1948 off the coast of Washington.