Bill Combs

Billy Burk Combs was an All-American collegiate wrestler at the University of Michigan (1939–41) who was killed in the invasion of Iwo Jima during World War II. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Combs enrolled at the University of Michigan and competed for the Michigan wrestling teams coached by Oklahoma native Cliff Keen. He was elected captain of Michigan's 1941 wrestling team and president of the university's "M" Club of varsity lettermen. He placed second in the 145-pound class at the national AAU championship in March 1940, losing the championship match in overtime. In December 1940, he won the 155-pound championship at the Midwest AAU tournament at Chicago. He was also the 1941 Western Conference wrestling champion at 175 pounds.