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Navy Federal Credit Union
Steve
Breckenridge
Combs
KIA (WWI)
January 27, 1892

–

October 16, 1918

Cemetery:

Johnson Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    4th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Steve Combs (ASN: 2337876), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company A, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Corporal Combs displayed exceptional qualities of heroism and leadership on 16 October 1918 while in command of his platoon in the assault on Hill 299 northeast of Cunel, after his superiors had been wounded. He pushed forward vigorously and captured a machine gun with its crew. Soon afterwards, while continuing the advance, he was mortally wounded, but as long as he was conscious, he called to his comrades to keep advancing. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    4th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 64 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Steve Breckenridge Combs (ASN: 2337876), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel, France, 16 October 1918. After all his superior officers and non-commissioned officers were killed or wounded, Corporal Combs took command of the platoon and pushed forward, capturing a machine gun and its crew. Although being mortally wounded a short time afterwards, he constantly called to his companions to continue the advance until he lost consciousness.