World War II Honoree

Richard L. Combest

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Glencoe, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE ON JUNE 30, 1943. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT BUCKLEY FIELD, AND LOWRY FIELD, BOTH AT DENVER, COLORADO; AND KEARNS ARMY AIR BASE (CAMP KEARNS) IN SALT LAKE COUNTY, UTAH. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR, INCLUDING IN NEW GUINEA; THE SCHOUTEN ISLANDS, SOME 40 MILES OFF THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF NEW GUINEA; PHILIPPINE ISLANDS; AND ON OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS. THEN SERVED WITH OCCUPATION FORCES IN JAPAN AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘JAPAN’ CLASP. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JANUARY 7, 1946 WITH THE RANK OF SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.