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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Rex G. Combs (ASN: 0-1824725), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 3 July 1944 near Grande Haneau, France. In the attack on Hill 131, First Lieutenant Combs’ Company encountered a force of approximately sixty Germans who had been by-passed 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 Thompson Sub-Machine Gun 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.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    508th Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    82d Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1944
    Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 72 (May 21, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Rex G. Combs (ASN: 0-1824725), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 17 September 1944 near Wyler, Germany. First Lieutenant Combs, Platoon Leader, Company A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, landed by parachute with his men about 2,500 yards from the drop zone inside Germany. Though subjected to immediate small arms and automatic fire, First Lieutenant Combs organized his group and by his daring courage unhesitatingly led an attack on the enemy positions in an effort to rejoin his unit. First Lieutenant Combs, though wounded in the plane by flak prior to the jump, attacked with such speed and ferociousness, and was successful in killing over twenty-one of the enemy and causing fifty-nine to surrender. Throughout this attack, First Lieutenant Combs demonstrated exemplary and gallant courage in directing the fire and movements of his men. First Lieutenant Combs’ actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.