Real American Heroes

Seldon W. Combs’ Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to

SERGEANT SELDON W. COMBS,
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS,

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Officer-in-Charge of the point with a Combat Patrol of Company D, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, against the enemy Japanese forces in the Elsanora Bay Area, New Britain, on 15 March 1944. Although seriously wounded in the initial engagement with the enemy, Sergeant Combs unhesitatingly moved forward in an effort to divert hostile fire to himself, thereby making possible the safe deployment of the remainder of the patrol and, disregarding all personal danger as he advanced toward the enemy, succeeded in disorganizing the hostile force and inflicting many casualties among the Japanese before he was killed. Sergeant Comb’s initiative and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

For the President,
/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy


Born: 9 July 1921… Interred: Wilmington National Cemetery in Wilmington, N.C.

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