Thomas Holcomb was the FIRST Marine to achieve the rank of a General Officer. From December 1, 1936 to December 31, 1943, he served as the 17th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sponsored by:
Thomas
Holcomb
August 5, 1879
–
May 24, 1965
Awards Received
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
World War I
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holcomb (MCSN: 0-436), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Second Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action in France. As Commander of the Second Battalion, and later as second-in-command of the 6th Regiment (Marines), Lieutenant Colonel Holcomb performed all of his duty in a most commendable manner, proved himself a brave, active, resourceful officer by his zealous and intelligent attention to duty as well as personal courage and fearlessness in the face of the enemy.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 18, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holcomb (MCSN: 0-436), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Lieutenant Colonel Holcomb distinguished himself while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Vierzy, France, 18 July 1918. (THIRD Citation)
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
December 1, 1936 – January 1, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Thomas Holcomb (MCSN: 0-436), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from 1 December 1936, to 1 January 1944. Thoroughly experienced in combat and assigned a task of exacting proportions during the national emergency and after 7 December 1941, General Holcomb was responsible for the development of an organization equal to extensive and pressing demands incident to the aggressive prosecution of the war. He has achieved brilliant success in the numerous phases of rapid expansion of the Corps to many times its normal size, at the same time, holding Marine Corps personnel to the traditional high level of combat readiness during a tremendously critical period. General Holcomb’s forceful and inspiring leadership, his distinctive ability as an administrator and executive, and his tireless and unwavering devotion to duty have been major factors in the success of our offensive drive against the Japanese strongholds in the Pacific War Area and have contributed essentially to the high morale of the officers and men carrying the fight to the enemy. His consistently valuable service in a position of vital importance is in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
October 1 – 10, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holcomb (MCSN: 0-436), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Lieutenant Colonel Holcomb distinguished himself while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Blanc Mont, France, 1 to 10 October 1918. (SECOND Citation)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
November 11, 1918
Citation Orders No. 88, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holcomb (MCSN: 0-436), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Lieutenant Colonel Holcomb distinguished himself while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
Sixth Regiment (Marines)Division:
2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June 6 – July 10, 1918
Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesBy direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Holcomb (MCSN: 0-436), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Lieutenant Colonel Holcomb distinguished himself while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June to 10 July 1918.