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) William F. Holcomb (ASN: 0-1297196), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 395th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, on 18 December 1944, in Germany. When the battalion’s position was penetrated by a coordinated infantry-tank attack, supported by very heavy mortar, artillery and rocket fire, Lieutenant Holcomb led his platoon in the face of this fire to wipe out the attackers. After his platoon eliminated the attackers, he personally supervised the setting up of defensive positions, which meant crawling from OP to OP under enemy fire, and through shrapnel. (Remainder of Citation Missing)