Oregon Veteran Profile
John Noble Holcomb
Personal Details
Born: | June 11, 1946, Baker, Baker County, Oregon |
Died: | December 3, 1968, Republic Of Vietnam |
Buried: | Eagle Valley Cemetery (Mh), Richland, Oregon |
Military Service
Conflict: | Vietnam War |
Branch: | June 11, 1946, Baker, Baker County, Oregon |
Rank: | Sergeant |
Unit: | Company D, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division |
Enlistment: | Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon |
Equipment: | M60 Machine Gun |
Citation
Citation: | Medal of Honor |
Posthumous?: | Yes (KIA) |
Action Date: | December 3, 1968 |
Action Place: | Near Quan Loi, Republic Of Vietnam |
Presentation: | February 16, 1971. Presented At The White House (East Ballroom) By President Richard M. Nixon To John Holcomb's Family |
John Noble Holcomb of Richland, OR, served as a Sergeant in Company D, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in thwarting a fierce enemy assault against his company and evacuating his wounded comrades near Quan Lai, Vietnam on 3 December 1968. Tragically, he was severely wounded and died on that date. His valor and sacrifice on behalf of his comrades and his country were recognized with a Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Congressional Medal of Honor. As a token of his memory John is honored in the in the Baker City Armory entry hall, at a monument near Richland, and in the naming of Holcomb Barracks at Fort Benning, GA.
