Staff Sergeant Darrell James Holcomb was born 28 January 1912 at Pebworth, Owsley County, Kentucky. He was living at Levi, Owsley County, when he enlisted in Company F, 149th Infantry of the Kentucky National Guard at Booneville on 30 September 1940. He was inducted into federal service on 20 January 1941.

Holcomb was relieved from active duty and returned to state control on 23 October 1941, then recalled to active duty on 24 January 1942. He was killed in action on 8 February 1945 and is buried in the Pendergrass Cemetery in Owsley County.