Rebel Lee Holcomb
Captain, U.S. Army

On July 1952, then-Sergeant First Class Rebel Lee Holcomb was serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and his unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea. That morning, Company A was preparing to launch an attack on an enemy-held hill when intense artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire pinned it down in an untenable position. Knowing that the Company would suffer many casualties if it remained exposed to the hostile fire, SFC Holcomb moved forward in a one-man charge up the slope of the hill. Advancing through a deadly fusillade, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy with rifle fire and grenades. When he had moved to within ten yards of the enemy's main line of resistance, he saw that the hostile troops were so deeply entrenched that grenades and small-arms fire would not be able to dislodge them. Moving back down the hill, he rejoined his unit and obtained a flame thrower. Advancing once more into the enemy fire, he again climbed to the crest of the hill. Then, moving methodically from bunker to bunker, he directed a searing flame on the enemy troops within, ending their resistance. As a result of his courageous action, Company A was able to sweep forward and secure the hill. These extraordinary actions earned SFC Holcomb the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 4 May 1965, SGT Rebel Holcomb began his tour in Vietnam, serving with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. On 8 November 1965, his unit was in Bien Hoa Province, South Vietnam, when SGT Holcomb was Killed in Action by small arms fire. His body was recovered.

Holcomb received a battlefield commission in Korea and attained the rank of Captain. His ASN was RO 37 818 663 and RO is used by Regular Army enlisted personnel holding temporary reserve officer commissions. His rank of Sergeant was in the Regular Army.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (Second Award)
Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant First Class Rebel L. Holcomb, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Holcomb distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, on the morning of 31 July 1952. On that date, the company of which Sergeant Holcomb was a member was preparing to launch an attack on an enemy-held hill when intense artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire pinned it down in an untenable position. Realizing that the company would suffer many casualties if it remained exposed to the merciless hostile fire, Sergeant Holcomb moved forward in a one-man charge up the slope of the hill. Advancing through a deadly fusillade, he inflicted heavy casualties on the foe with rifle fire and accurately-thrown grenades. When he had moved to within ten yards of the enemy's main line of resistance, he saw that the hostile troops were so deeply entrenched that grenades and small-arms fire would not be able to dislodge them. Moving back down the hill, he rejoined his comrades and obtained a flame thrower, Then advancing once more into the face of enemy fire, he again climbed to the crest of the hill. Moving methodically from bunker to bunker, he directed a searing flame on the enemy troops within, effectively ending their resistance. As a result of his courageous action, the friendly company was able to sweep forward and secure the hill.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 689 (November 10,1952)

Honors

The name Rebel L Holcomb is located on Panel 3E Line 33 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Rebel Lee Holcomb is buried at the Fort Riley Post Cemetery in Fort Riley, Geary County, KS in Plot: E 69.

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