World War II Honoree

Merle C. Combest

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Glencoe, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT FORT SILL AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA; CAMP GRUBER AT BRAGGS, OKLAHOMA; FORT LEWIS AT TACOMA, WASHINGTON; CAMP PHILLIPS AT SALINA, KANSAS; AND CAMP MYLES STANDISH AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER DURING THE WAR, INCLUDING IN ENGLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, AND AUSTRIA IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO). AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION IN EASTERN FRANCE IN 1945, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 SILVER SERVICE STAR (5 CAMPAIGNS), AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945 WITH THE RANK OF TECHNICAL SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.