03DEC1968: Serving as a squad leader with Delta Company, 2-7 CAV, part of the 1st Infantry Division, SGT John Holcomb was leading his men during a recon-in-force mission during Operation Sheridan Sabre. As soon as his company landed they came under intense fire from an estimated battalion sized enemy force attacking from three sides. SGT Holcomb's squad found itself in the path of the main enemy attack. Despite heavy fire, SGT Holcomb moved among his men and directed fields of fire to keep the charging enemy at bay. When his machine gunner fell, SGT Holcomb assumed the weapon and picked right back up laying into the attacking enemy fighters. As the first wave died off, SGT Holcomb treated and moved his wounded and reestablished their defensive perimeter, just in time for the second wave to kick off. Again manning the machine gun, SGT Holcomb forced the enemy to again withdraw but was severely wounded by a rocket in the process. Despite his wounds, SGT Holcomb crawled through a grass fire with rockets and mortars landing all around him, to consolidate what remained of his squad into a defensive position. The last surviving leader of the platoon, SGT Holcomb, in one of his last acts, took the radio and called in friendly artillery that broke up the final enemy attack. His fighting spirit and inspiring leadership saved the lives of countless American Soldiers that day. SGT Holcomb would die of his wounds suffered that day and would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

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