Edward Rector

Air Classics, Sep 2001

Edward Rector, a WWII fighter ace and member of the famed Flying Tigers, died on 26 April at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington after a heart attack. He was 84 years old.

A retired USAF colonel, Rector was credited with downing 10.5 Japanese aircraft. The Flying Tigers, led by Claire Chennault, was credited with destroying 296 aircraft over a seven-month period. Rector graduated from college in 1938 and began his military career as a Naval aviator.

He was a carrier pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, when he was recruited for the American Volunteer Group, the official name for the Flying Tigers. The unit was formed with the financial backing of the Chinese government to help defend Chinese cities from Japanese invaders before the USA entered the war.

"When I heard about the AVG, I saw in opportunity to find out if I was as good is I thought," recalled Rector. "I also had read twice over everything that Rudyard Kipling had written, so this was right up my alley. And to be paid a fabulous salary and a bounty for each plane destroyed sounded heaven-sent. I jumped at the chance."