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Dena Caldarelli-Family
to remember
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
First submariner to have operation on submerged sub
Date
Sep 11, 1942
Last Updated: Dec 16, 2018
Comments
Darrel Dean Rector GM3 USN was the first submariner to have a life saving operation in a submerged submarine. During the USS Seadragon SS-194 fourth combat patrol, at 120 feet, off the coast of Indochina (now Vietnam) a non-surgeon saved the life of Rector. Rector was serving on the USS Seadragon SS-194 as a Navy submariner on September 11, 1942 when it was determined an emergency appendectomy was necessary to save his life. The only medical service person on board was Pharmacist's Mate First Class Wheeler B. Lipes, USN, assigned to the Seadragon. Using a medical book as a guide, Lipes performed the operation and saved Rector's life. Later, Lipes stated "I always thought he was the guy who had the courage, I've asked myself, would I have gotten up on that table and let someone do the same thing to me?" "He was one of the most courageous people I've ever met." Rector is reported to have said he was very proud of his scar.