Bankson T. Holcomb Jr.

Bankson Taylor Holcomb Jr. (April 14, 1908 – October 5, 2000) was a decorated officer of the

Bankson T. Holcomb Jr. was born on April 14, 1908, in Wilmington, Delaware, the son of prominent insurance businessman Bankson T. Holcomb Sr. and his wife Julian Newton Holcomb. His family moved to China in 1921 and Bankson Jr. attended Peking (Beijing)Beijing American High School within the American Legation.

Following his 17th birthday, impressed by the local Marine detachment, Banks decided to enlist in the Marine Corps in April 1925. Holcomb served as an enlisted man for next six months and was decorated with the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal for his service.^[1][2]

His superior recommended him for Naval Academy Preparatory School in San Diego, California. However Holcomb failed the Ancient history exam and was transferred to the private Virginia Preparatory School in Hampton Roads. He was successful the second time and was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1927. Four years later, Holcomb graduated with the Class of 1931 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in June 1931.^[3] Because of his knowledge of Chinese language and interest in Orient, he was nicknamed "Chink" by his classmates.^[1][2] Banks was also active in the track, cross country running team, Gymkhana or was a member of radio club.^[4]

Many of his classmates had distinguished careers and became general officers: John S. McCain Jr., Horacio Rivero Jr., Charles T. Booth, Lawson P. Ramage, Bernard F. Roeder, Frederick L. Wieseman, Frederick J. Becton, Charles B. Brooks Jr., Ernest B. Ellsworth, Wilmer E. Gallaher, Andrew J. Hill Jr., Harlan T. Johnson, Frederic S. Keeler, Edward J. O'Neill, Forsyth Massey, Berton A. Robbins, Jr., Kinlock C. Walpole, Nelson K. Brown, Austin R. Brunelli, Edward J. Dillon, Robert E. Fojt, Edward H. Forney, Lewis C. Hudson, Clifford H. Shuey or Samuel G. Taxis.^[4]

Following his graduation, Holcomb was sent to

Holcomb was transferred back to the United States in 1937 and assigned to Marine Barracks Quantico, where he was a company commander. He was promoted to the rank of captain in January 1939 and later transferred to Washington, D.C., where he was assigned to the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). Captain Holcomb was subsequently sent to Japan, where he was attached to the American Embassy in Tokyo. Holcomb's purpose for the Japanese service was aligned to the ONI advanced Japanese language and cultural program.^[1][2]

World War II

Shortly before the Japanese

Holcomb subsequently returned to Station Hypo and received temporary promotion to major in May 1942. He served at Station Hypo until December 1942, when he was transferred to Chongqing, China, and appointed officer in charge of the communications and intelligence activities there. In this capacity, he also served as a member of the U.S. Naval Advisory Group and instructor for Kuomintang guerrillas. While in China, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel on March 1, 1943.^[1][2]

In 1944, Holcomb was transferred back to the United States and assigned to the ONI's OP-20-GZ, under the command of Commander Redfield B. Mason and worked as language officer on China/Japan Intelligence matters.^[1]

Lieutenant Colonel Holcomb returned to Pacific in the early 1945, when he was assigned as a radio intelligence and translation officer on the

Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Holcomb and his wife moved to Inverness, Scotland, where he was active in the Fleet Radio Unit Pacific veterans amateur unit. Holcomb was also later active in the supporting of Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton's book And I Was There: Pearl Harbor and Midway – Breaking the Secrets.

Brigadier General Bankson T. Holcomb Jr. died on October 5, 2000.^[1]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Bankson T. Holcomb:^[3]

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.