American Legion Hale-Combest Post 315
Lanny Earl Hale was born February, 1943, and graduated from Wylie High School in the Clas of 1961. He attended Christian College of the Soutwest, and in 967 went into the Army where at Ft. Hod, Texas, he was trained as a rifleman with 2nd Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 6th infantry Regiment, 198th Light Infantry Brigade. In October 1967, he arrived in Vietnam, and was based at LZ Gator, near Chu Lai on the coast of South China Sea. On February 8, 1968, in the Battle of Lo Giang, six miles south of Da Nang his unit was involved in one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war which included much hand-to-hand combat. Lanny was killed that day in an enemy mortar barrage on his position. He was 25 years old, and is buried in Wylie. His name can be found on the WALL at Panel 38E, Row 29.
Medals awarded:
BRONZE STAR
PURPLE HEART
COMBAT INFANTRYMAM’S BADGE
VALOROUS UNIT AWARD
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM CAMPAIGN RIBBON
MILITARY MERIT MEDAL
GALLANTRY CROSS with PALM
SHARPSHOOTER BADGE with RIFLE and MACHINE GUN BARS
MAEKSMAN BADGE and AUTOMATIC RIFLE BAR
Jerry Wayne Combest was born January 27, 1943, and graduated from Wylie High School in the class of 1961. Jerry went into the Army in 1966, abs was trained as ab infantry rifleman, and arrived in South Vietnam on March 7, 1968, at Long Binh, the huge American base near Saigon. PFC Combest was assigned to Charlie Co, 1st Mechanized Bn, 5th infantry regiment, 25th infantry Div., known as the “Bobcats” with headquarters at Cu Chi, which was referred to by the soldiers stationed there, as “Hell’s Half Acre.” On the morning of August 21, 1968, deep in the dark forest known as the Ben Cui Rubber Plantation, Charlie Company was involved in a fierce battle against an overwhelming enemy force. Waves of enemy soldiers poured out of the jungle and overran his small unit. SP4 Combest died at the age of 25 while trying to saves the lives of his wounded comrades. Jerry’s name is list on the WALL at Panel 47W, Row 16.
Medals Awarded:
BRONZE STAR
PURPLE HEART
COMBAT RIFLEMAN’S BADGE
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM CAMPAIGN RIBBON
MILITARY NERIT MEDAL
GALLANTRY CROSS with PALM
Both grew up together and were best friends only living 2 or 3 houses apart. They both graduated from Wylie High the same year (1961) and both died within 6 months of each other in 1968, Republic of South Vietnam.
