World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Howard R. Combs, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Clarence, Missouri
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: 2ND LIEUTENANT. SERVED AS A P-51 ‘MUSTANG’ FIGHTER PILOT ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE ‘MIGHTY EIGHTH’, 352ND FIGHTER GROUP, 486TH FIGHTER SQUADRON STATIONED AT BODNEY, ENGLAND, ARMY AIR FORCE STATION #141. KILLED IN ACTION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1944 DURING A BOMBER ESCORT MISSION OVER GERMANY. HE IS BURIED IN THE NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT MARGRATEN, NETHERLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AIR MEDAL WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND THE PURPLE HEART WAS AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY. THE AIR MEDAL WAS BESTOWED UP THE LIEUTENANT FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AERIAL FLIGHT.