Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Company A, 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 95th Infantry Division "Iron Men of Metz", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

January 18th, 1945

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 Sergeant Roy E. Holcomb (ASN: 39525060), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 1 December 1944. During an attack against the enemy-held town of St. Barbara, France, a platoon of the 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion was stopped within the town by a strategically placed enemy Mark IV Tank. When it became apparent that the tank destroyer opposing the enemy tank could not maneuver into a position from which it could fire effectively, Sergeant Holcomb, with complete disregard for his own safety, obtained a rocket launcher and crawled toward the enemy tank to destroy it or force it to move into another position. Covered by friendly small arms fire he crawled to within seventy-five yards of the tank and opened fire which proved to be ineffective. Undaunted, he approached from another direction, and when he was within fifty yards of the tank he again opened fire, partially disabling the tank and forcing it to retreat. As he made his way back to his platoon, another enemy tank moved into the position previously occupied by the one he had damaged. Thereupon, armed with a rocket launcher, he again crawled toward the position to attack the second enemy tank. He fired four rounds of ammunition at the tank and partially disabled it but was killed by return fire. Sergeant Holcomb's courageous determination and his heroic devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Posthumously awarded.
Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 18 (18 January 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Company A, 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 95th Infantry Division "Iron Men of Metz", U.S. Army