Second Lieutenant Factor was the pilot of an OE-1 Cessna observation aircraft with Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division. On 18 July 1952, while on an artillery fire control mission, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, killing him. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

Factor was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.