On this day 71 years ago, Tec5 Samuel J. Price of Mount Ephraim was killed in action in Manila, Philippines at the age of 28. Samuel served with the 117th Combat Engineer Battalion, Company "C" for 4 years, participating in the Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Bougainville campaigns before landing in Luzon.

On February 9, 1945, the 117th Engineers were ferrying soldiers from the 37th Infantry Division across the Pasig River aboard assault boats to seize Provisor Island. It is reported that several boats were hit by Japanese machine gun and mortar fire.

Battle of Manila - http://battleofmanila.org/SmithXIV/htm/xiv05.htm

Sam was survived by his parents, brother William “Lester” and a sister, Anna.

Before entering the Army, Samuel lived at 18 Valley Road and was a graduate of Audubon High School in 1935 (the picture posted is his senior photo). He is buried next to his parents William and Anna at Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson, NJ.

His name is inscribed on the World War II Memorial located at the Davis Avenue triangle.

Thank you sir for your sacrifice. May you never be forgotten.

Samuel J Price