Thomas J. Lynch (aviator)
| Thomas Joseph Lynch | |
|---|---|
Captain Thomas J. Lynch in March 1943
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Tommy |
| Born |
December 9, 1916 Hazleton, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 8, 1944 (aged 27) near Aitape, Papua New Guinea |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1940–1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 35th Fighter Group |
| Commands held | 39th Fighter Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (6) Purple Heart (2) Air Medal (10) |
Thomas Joseph Lynch (9 December 1916 – 8 March 1944) was a United States Army Air Forces lieutenant colonel and a flying ace of World War II. After joining the United States Army Air Corps in 1940, Lynch flew the Bell P-39 Airacobra with the 39th Pursuit Squadron. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron was deployed to Australia and then to Port Moresby in early 1942.
Lynch downed three Japanese planes while flying the P-39, and in June the squadron (now redesignated the 39th Fighter Squadron) was selected to be the first Fifth Air Force squadron to be reequipped with the new Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Lynch claimed two more victories in late December to become an ace. He became commander of the squadron in March 1943. By October Lynch had 16 victories. He went back to his hometown of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, and married. Returning to the Pacific, Lynch claimed four more victories, and was killed while strafing Japanese barges on 8 March 1944.
Lynch was born on 9 December 1916 to Irish immigrants William and Alice Lynch in Hazleton, where his father owned a milk business. His family soon moved to Catasauqua. Lynch was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Catasauqua High School in 1936.
In 1937, he entered the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with a chemical engineering degree in 1940.
Lynch joined the United States Army Air Corps and after completing pilot training was assigned to the 39th Pursuit Squadron in March 1941 at Selfridge Field, Michigan, flying the Bell P-39 Airacobra. The squadron spent most of the year training.
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Wikipedia