Billie Farmer Combs was the son of Hugh and Phoebe Ann (Caudill) Combs. According to military records, Billy Combs died "as a result of suicidal drowning when he jumped overboard of ship in the North American Area." The location given for the drowning was 36° 45' 30" N Latitude, 130° 13' W Longitude, or about 430 miles WSW of San Francisco, CA. Billy's "Report of Death" states that his date of birth was "1 Sept 17", that his date of death was "26 May 1943" and the cause of death was listed as "Drowning suicide while mentally unsound." The following letter, dated October 16, 1951, was sent to Billie's parents in regard to the non-recovery of his remains:
QMGMF 293
Combs, Billy F.
SN 6 994 318
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Combs
Whitesburg, Kentucky
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Combs:
Several years have elapsed since the cessation of hostilities of World War II, which cost the life of your son, the late Sergent Billy F. Combs.
It is with deep regret that your Government finds it necessary to inform you that further search and investigation have failed to reveal the whereabouts of your son's remains. Since all efforts to recover and/or identify his remains have failed, it has been necessary to declare that his remains are not recoverable.
Realizing the extent of your great loss, it is regretted that there is no grave at which to pay homage. May the knowledge of your son's honorable service to his country be a source of sustaining comfort to you.
Sincerely yours,
JAMES B. CLEARWATER
Colonel, QMC
Chief, Memorial Division
- - - - - -
The following was published in the January 6, 1944, issue of The Mountain Eagle (page 4):
In Memory of My Son
Some day this war may be ended, but my boy will not come back, and my heart is breaking because he will never come home.
I had only one boy, he was my hope and joy and pride, duty called and Billie answered and for his country died. Now the whole world seems empty, to the ones who loved him most.
They are often made to wonder if freedom is worth the price it cost. How we all do miss him, all our hearts are sad and lonely since our soldier boy left home.
The sea can not hold my boy there. I hope to meet him at Heaven's portals where we will never part again. Here no more will I hear his footsteps. I miss him in every place, but I hope some day in Heaven again to see my dear boy's face where there will be no more pain nor sorrow in that bright land above.
Mrs. Phoebe Combs
QMGMF 293
Combs, Billy F.
SN 6 994 318
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Combs
Whitesburg, Kentucky
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Combs:
Several years have elapsed since the cessation of hostilities of World War II, which cost the life of your son, the late Sergent Billy F. Combs.
It is with deep regret that your Government finds it necessary to inform you that further search and investigation have failed to reveal the whereabouts of your son's remains. Since all efforts to recover and/or identify his remains have failed, it has been necessary to declare that his remains are not recoverable.
Realizing the extent of your great loss, it is regretted that there is no grave at which to pay homage. May the knowledge of your son's honorable service to his country be a source of sustaining comfort to you.
Sincerely yours,
JAMES B. CLEARWATER
Colonel, QMC
Chief, Memorial Division
- - - - - -
The following was published in the January 6, 1944, issue of The Mountain Eagle (page 4):
In Memory of My Son
Some day this war may be ended, but my boy will not come back, and my heart is breaking because he will never come home.
I had only one boy, he was my hope and joy and pride, duty called and Billie answered and for his country died. Now the whole world seems empty, to the ones who loved him most.
They are often made to wonder if freedom is worth the price it cost. How we all do miss him, all our hearts are sad and lonely since our soldier boy left home.
The sea can not hold my boy there. I hope to meet him at Heaven's portals where we will never part again. Here no more will I hear his footsteps. I miss him in every place, but I hope some day in Heaven again to see my dear boy's face where there will be no more pain nor sorrow in that bright land above.
Mrs. Phoebe Combs
Billie Farmer Combs was the son of Hugh and Phoebe Ann (Caudill) Combs. According to military records, Billy Combs died "as a result of suicidal drowning when he jumped overboard of ship in the North American Area." The location given for the drowning was 36° 45' 30" N Latitude, 130° 13' W Longitude, or about 430 miles WSW of San Francisco, CA. Billy's "Report of Death" states that his date of birth was "1 Sept 17", that his date of death was "26 May 1943" and the cause of death was listed as "Drowning suicide while mentally unsound." The following letter, dated October 16, 1951, was sent to Billie's parents in regard to the non-recovery of his remains:
QMGMF 293
Combs, Billy F.
SN 6 994 318
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Combs
Whitesburg, Kentucky
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Combs:
Several years have elapsed since the cessation of hostilities of World War II, which cost the life of your son, the late Sergent Billy F. Combs.
It is with deep regret that your Government finds it necessary to inform you that further search and investigation have failed to reveal the whereabouts of your son's remains. Since all efforts to recover and/or identify his remains have failed, it has been necessary to declare that his remains are not recoverable.
Realizing the extent of your great loss, it is regretted that there is no grave at which to pay homage. May the knowledge of your son's honorable service to his country be a source of sustaining comfort to you.
Sincerely yours,
JAMES B. CLEARWATER
Colonel, QMC
Chief, Memorial Division
- - - - - -
The following was published in the January 6, 1944, issue of The Mountain Eagle (page 4):
In Memory of My Son
Some day this war may be ended, but my boy will not come back, and my heart is breaking because he will never come home.
I had only one boy, he was my hope and joy and pride, duty called and Billie answered and for his country died. Now the whole world seems empty, to the ones who loved him most.
They are often made to wonder if freedom is worth the price it cost. How we all do miss him, all our hearts are sad and lonely since our soldier boy left home.
The sea can not hold my boy there. I hope to meet him at Heaven's portals where we will never part again. Here no more will I hear his footsteps. I miss him in every place, but I hope some day in Heaven again to see my dear boy's face where there will be no more pain nor sorrow in that bright land above.
Mrs. Phoebe Combs
QMGMF 293
Combs, Billy F.
SN 6 994 318
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Combs
Whitesburg, Kentucky
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Combs:
Several years have elapsed since the cessation of hostilities of World War II, which cost the life of your son, the late Sergent Billy F. Combs.
It is with deep regret that your Government finds it necessary to inform you that further search and investigation have failed to reveal the whereabouts of your son's remains. Since all efforts to recover and/or identify his remains have failed, it has been necessary to declare that his remains are not recoverable.
Realizing the extent of your great loss, it is regretted that there is no grave at which to pay homage. May the knowledge of your son's honorable service to his country be a source of sustaining comfort to you.
Sincerely yours,
JAMES B. CLEARWATER
Colonel, QMC
Chief, Memorial Division
- - - - - -
The following was published in the January 6, 1944, issue of The Mountain Eagle (page 4):
In Memory of My Son
Some day this war may be ended, but my boy will not come back, and my heart is breaking because he will never come home.
I had only one boy, he was my hope and joy and pride, duty called and Billie answered and for his country died. Now the whole world seems empty, to the ones who loved him most.
They are often made to wonder if freedom is worth the price it cost. How we all do miss him, all our hearts are sad and lonely since our soldier boy left home.
The sea can not hold my boy there. I hope to meet him at Heaven's portals where we will never part again. Here no more will I hear his footsteps. I miss him in every place, but I hope some day in Heaven again to see my dear boy's face where there will be no more pain nor sorrow in that bright land above.
Mrs. Phoebe Combs
Inscription
Peace Perfect Peace
{Photo}
SARGEANT
BILLIE FARMER COMBS
SEPT. 1 1918 - MAY 26 1946
Gone but not forgotten.
COMBS
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