This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO2 Philip E. Montroy
to remember
Marine BGen Bankson Holcomb Jr..
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Wilmington
Last Address U.S. Consulate London, England
Date of Passing Oct 05, 2000
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
BGen B. Holcomb, USMC retired in 1952. He was given a "Tombstone Promotion" to BGen upon retirement.
Other Comments:
BGen Holcomb was a cousin to Gen Thomas Holcomb, 17th CMC, and served under him from 1936-1943.
BGen Bankson Holcomb Jr., along with his friend & cohort Col. Alva Lasswell, is considered one of the "Founding Fathers" of the USMC Cryptologic Program. Like Lasswell, his career seems to have been impacted due to his years of duty with Naval Intelligence. The problems this caused didn't dampen the BGen.'s dedication or performance. He served his Corps and Country well. Holcomb, like Lasswell, blazed the trail for all of the Crypto/Signal Intelligence Marines to follow. BGen Holcomb was a great Marine Officer and a fine example for all Marines to follow.
1925-1927, 0300, MARDET American Legation, Peking, China
