World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Douglas L. Wilcombe
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Hammond, Louisiana
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY DECEMBER 6, 1940 AT FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA. AFTER OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AND PARATROOPER TRAINING, HE SERVED WITH H-COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1944 WHILE CONDUCTING A DIVERSIONARY PATROL ACROSS THE RHINE RIVER IN THE VICINITY OF HETEREN, HOLLAND THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN. HE IS BURIED IN THE ARDENNES AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT NEUPRE, BELGIUM. DECORATION AND CITATION: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.