RESTRICTED HEADQUARTERS 82D AIRBORNE DIVISION
Office of the Division Commander A.P.O. 469, U. S, Army,
22 May 1945. GENERAL ORDERS }
NUMBER -— 73 ) SECTION AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL, OAF LEAP CLUSTER......................I
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL.................................................II
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, OAK LEAF CLUSTER...................III
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE........IV
AWARD OF THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL ............................................ .V
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| I -- AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR MEDAL, OAK LEAF CLUSTER; Under the provisions of AR 600-45', as amended, and pursuant to authority contained in letter 200.6 (AG) Headquarters XVIII Corps Airborne, dated 31 August 1944, the Silver Star Medal having been previously awarded, the Oak Leaf Cluster is awarded to the following named individuals; REX G. COMBS, 01824725, First Lieutenant, 508th Parachute Infantry. For gallantry in action on 3 July 1944 near ***, FRANCE. In the attack on Hill 131, First Lieutenant COMBS’ Company encountered a force of approximately sixty Germans who had been bypassed by the leading elements of the Battalion. The enemy attacked the left flank of the company with heavy machine guns and machine pistols, achieving such a surprise by this attack that the company was pinned down and was in danger of being forced back with heavy losses. Taking six men, First Lieutenant COMBS crawled forward to a point of vantage from which he could observe the enemy. Deploying his men so as to give him covering fire, First Lieutenant COMBS rushed forward with a TSMG with such ferocity that he killed fifteen Germans and captured forty-five. First Lieutenant COMBS' heroism and gallant actions reflect great credit upon himself and upon the Airborne Forces of the United States Army. Entered military service from LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
NOTE: Lt Combs earned the Silver Star on
two occasions. The date of action cited for this award of the Oak Leaf
Cluster actually preceded that of the Silver Star award due to a mix-up in
award dates. This action in June 1944 was awarded on 22 May 1945 while
the Silver Star award for action on 22 Sept 1944 was awarded a day earlier.
(Order set courtesy of Rex Combs collection) |
