.gif) Congressional
Medal of Honor
The little blue ribbon has 13 stars. Not an unlucky number, unless your name is King George. It was created at the time of the Civil War. The first one struck was for the Navy, then from the same die was struck the Army version. (The Navy medal has an anchor.) The title is a link to a page where you can look over the various editions. Holcomb, John Noble., Sgt. U.S. Army, Baker City Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D,
Citation:
With complete disregard for the heavy fire, Sgt. Holcomb moved among his men giving encouragement and directing fire on the assaulting enemy. When his machine gunner was knocked out, Sgt. Holcomb seized the weapon, ran to a forward edge of the position, and placed withering fire on the enemy. His gallant actions caused the enemy to withdraw. Sgt. Holcomb treated and carried his wounded to a position of safety and reorganized his defensive sector despite a raging grass fire ignited by the incoming enemy mortar and rocket rounds. When the enemy assaulted the position a second time, Sgt. Holcomb again manned the forward machine gun, devastating the enemy attack and forcing the enemy to again break contact and withdraw. During the enemy withdrawal an enemy rocket hit Sgt. Holcomb's position, destroying his machine gun and severely wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, Sgt. Holcomb
crawled through the grass fire and exploding mortar and rocket rounds to
move the members of his squad, everyone of whom had been wounded, to more
secure positions. Although grievously wounded and sustained solely by his
indomitable will and courage, Sgt. Holcomb as the last surviving leader
of his platoon organized his men to repel the enemy, crawled to the platoon
radio and reported the third enemy assault on his position. His report
brought friendly supporting fires on the charging enemy and broke the enemy
attack. Sgt. Holcomb's inspiring leadership, fighting spirit, in action
at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of
the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and
the U.S. Army
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For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Holcomb distinguished himself
while serving as a squad leader in Company D during a combat assault mission.
Sgt. Holcomb's company assault had landed by helicopter and deployed into
a hasty defensive position to organize for a reconnaissance-in-force mission
when it was attacked from 3 sides by an estimated battalion-size enemy
force. Sgt. Holcomb's squad was directly in the path of the main enemy
attack.