Kenneth C. Holcomb

age 98, of Highland, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022. Kenneth is survived by his son Stephen Holcomb; grandson Michael (Candy) Fisher; great-grandchildren: Abigail, Zachary and Madison Fisher; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 74 years, Alice Holcomb; daughter Cheryl Fisher, and great-grandchildren Faith and Rebecca Fisher.

Ken enlisted into the Army Air Corp in 1942. He ended up being stationed in England and was a radio operator and waist gunner in a B-24 Liberator Bomber.

During the 19th mission the B-24 Liberator Bomber Sgt. Holcomb took enemy fire while on a raid over Frankfurt, Germany. They were forced to parachute out at 9,000 feet and were reported missing by the war department on July 20, 1944. Sgt. Holcomb ended up in Belgium where he was captured by the Germans making Sgt. Holcomb a Prisoner of War.

While being moved from one camp to another the train Sgt. Holcomb was on derailed. Hearing the enemies getting closer the Germans unhooked the derailed train cars which is how Sgt. Holcomb escaped the Germans' grasp.

Sgt. Holcomb made his way to the underground in Brussels. The plan was to get the two American Soldiers to neutral Switzerland. He and a buddy had several close calls with the Germans, escaping capture.

Sgt. Holcomb and his buddy made their way to Switzerland with the help of the friendlies from the underground where they were able to contact the War Department letting them know they were alive. Sgt. Holcomb sent a telegram to his wife Alice that he was "safe and well".

Sgt. Holcomb received injuries to his hand jumping out of the aircraft. He received the Purple Heart as well as the ETO ribbon with three Battle Stars, and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters for his efforts in the war that saw the defeat of the Germans.

Sgt. Holcomb was honorably discharged in a ceremony at Truax Field, Madison, October 26, 1944. He returned to civilian life and to his wife Alice and baby daughter Cheryl. Five years later they welcomed their son Stephen. Ken and Alice were married for 74 years.

A Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, March 21, 2022 at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home & Crematory 14 Kennedy Ave Schererville, IN. A Funeral Service with military honors will be held at 6:00 PM with Rev. Merlyn Lawrence officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dance Bizz dance team fund for Ken's great-granddaughters, Abby and Maddi.

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