Bill Combs
Encyclopedia
Bill "Wild Bill" Combs was an American
collegiate wrestler
at the University of Michigan
from 1939 to 1941. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma
, Combs enrolled at the University of Michigan
and competed for the Michigan wrestling teams coached by Oklahoma native Cliff Keen
. He was elected captain of Michigan's 1941 wrestling team and president of the university's "M" Club of varsity lettermen. He placed second in the 145-pound class at the national AAU championship in March 1940, losing the championship match in overtime. In December 1940, he won the 155-pound championship at the Midwest AAU tournament at Chicago. He was also the 1941 Western Conference
wrestling champion at 175 pounds. He left school before graduating to join the United States Marine Corps
during World War II
. He was wounded in 1942 during the invasion of the Solomon Islands
and was sent to a hospital in San Francisco to recuperate. According to an account published in newspapers across the United States, Combs was attacked by eight Japanese soldiers; he killed seven of them with his machine gun and, when the gun jammed, he disarmed the eighth Japanese soldier and "slit his throat" with a bayonet. Combs received a presidential citation and a Purple Heart
for his service. After recovering from his wounds, Combs returned to action in the Pacific. He was killed during the invasion of Iwo Jima
on February 19, 1945. In 1986, Combs was posthumously inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
collegiate wrestler
Collegiate wrestling
Collegiate wrestling, sometimes known in the United States as Folkstyle wrestling, is a style of amateur wrestling practised at the collegiate and university level in the United States. Collegiate wrestling emerged from the folk wrestling styles practised in the early history of the United States...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1939 to 1941. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
, Combs enrolled at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and competed for the Michigan wrestling teams coached by Oklahoma native Cliff Keen
Cliff Keen
Clifford Patrick Keen was an American coach who served as the head coach of the University of Michigan collegiate wrestling team from 1925 to 1970. He led the Michigan Wolverines to 13 Big Ten Conference championships, and coached 68 All-American wrestlers...
. He was elected captain of Michigan's 1941 wrestling team and president of the university's "M" Club of varsity lettermen. He placed second in the 145-pound class at the national AAU championship in March 1940, losing the championship match in overtime. In December 1940, he won the 155-pound championship at the Midwest AAU tournament at Chicago. He was also the 1941 Western Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
wrestling champion at 175 pounds. He left school before graduating to join the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was wounded in 1942 during the invasion of the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands campaign
The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign began with Japanese landings and occupation of several areas in the British Solomon Islands and Bougainville, in the Territory of New Guinea, during the first six months of 1942...
and was sent to a hospital in San Francisco to recuperate. According to an account published in newspapers across the United States, Combs was attacked by eight Japanese soldiers; he killed seven of them with his machine gun and, when the gun jammed, he disarmed the eighth Japanese soldier and "slit his throat" with a bayonet. Combs received a presidential citation and a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
for his service. After recovering from his wounds, Combs returned to action in the Pacific. He was killed during the invasion of Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which lie south of the Ogasawara Islands and together with them form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The island is located south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
on February 19, 1945. In 1986, Combs was posthumously inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
The University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
.