Samuel J. Killinger was born in 1919 to William and Matilda Killinger of West Sadsbury Township. Besides his parents, he was survived by seven brothers and two sisters: William, at home; Reuben, of Phillipsville; George, of Coatesville, R. D.; Earl, of Martin’s Corner; Henry who has served with the army in Japan; Harrison and Herbert at home; Mrs. Charles Miller of Pomeroy and Mrs. William Willard, of near the Veterans Hospital. Previous to entering the service, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Highways.

He entered the army in March, 1941, and had periods of training at Indiantown Gap, the Carolinas, Texas, and Georgia. He was sent overseas in July 1943 and saw service in Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany as a member of Troop B, Sixth Cavalry. According to information, which reached the family, Pvt. Killinger and two other American soldiers were ambushed by a group of Nazi SS troops during an attack on the German lines at Langenhassen, Germany. He was 26 years of age at the time of his death on April 16, 1945. His body was later interred at the American military cemetery at Eisenbach, Germany.

A memorial service was held stateside in St. John’s Episcopal Church, Compass, on Sunday evening, June 17, 1945. In 1949 his body was moved to its final resting place in St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery, Compass, Pennsylvania North of Parkesburg on Rt. 10. Both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars participated in this ceremony that included full military honors. This hero’s funeral was held on January 23, 1949 at St. John‘s Episcopal Church.