Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch
5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS)
5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command), Headquarters
Ace Pilot with 20 Victories
Background
Thomas J. Lynch was born December 9, 1916 in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Nicknamed "Tommy". During 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet and completed flight training and earned his wings then was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-388066.
Wartime History
During 1942 as a 1st Lieutenant sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Assigned to 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) flying the P-39 Airacobra and P-400 Airacobra defending the Port Moresby area.
 On May 20, 1942 took off piloting an Airacobra over Port Moresby and claimed his first two aerial victories over Waigani. On May 26, 1942 took off from Port Moresby to intercept Japanese planes and claimed his third aerial victory over Mount Lawes. On June 16, 1942 took off piloting P-39 Airacobra and was bounced by a pair of A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). Although he managed to escape, another four Zero intercepted damaging his plane. Unable to return to base, he bailed out and broke his arm, but returned to duty. Afterwards, the 39th FS converted to the Lockheed P-38 Lightnings.
 On January 20, 1943 at 14 Mile Drome a U.S. Army Signal Corps photographer took pictures of 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) fighter pilots standing near the right engine of P-38G Lightning 42-12715 including 2nd Lt. Carl G. Planck, Jr., 2nd Lt. Norman D. Hyland, 2nd Lt. Kenneth C. Sparks and 1st Lt. Thomas
J. Lynch.
On December 27, 1942 took off piloting P-38G 42-12715 leading four P-38s with 2nd Lt. Kenneth C. Sparks, 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong and 2nd Lt. John H. Mangas. They were joined by two other four plane flights for a total of twelve P-38s scrambling to intercept a formation of 35 Japanese planes. Over Dobodura Lynch's flight claimed seven shot down, with Lynch claiming two Ki-43 Oscars, his fourth and fifth victories and became an ace. The two other P-38 flights claimed another six victories. This was the first P-38 Lightning aerial combat in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
Afterwards, this aerial battle was reported in the American press.
On December 31, 1942 took off piloting P-38G 42-12715 leading a formation of twelve P-38s escorting escort A-20 Havocs from 89th Bombardment Squadron (89th BS), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG) and B-25 Mitchells from 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) on
a bombing mission against Lae Airfield. Lynch made several passes at Oscars and Zeros, shooting
one down that crashed into Huon Gulf. He was credited with two more victories. Afterwards, he was promoted to Captain.
On January 7, 1943 took off piloting P-38G 42-12715 on a mission over Lae and claimed his fourth aerial victory over a Ki-43 Oscar and another damaged.
On March 3, 1943 took off piloting a P-38 Lightning during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and claimed a Ki-43 Oscar over the Huon Gulf.
On May 8, 1943 he claimed another aerial victory, his tenth aerial victory claim. On June 10, 1943 he claimed another aerial victory. Promoted to Major, Lynch became the Commanding Officer (C. O. ) of the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG).
On August 20, 1943 he claimed another two victories over Wewak. On August 21, 1943 he claimed another victory over Dagua Airfield.
On September 4, 1943 claimed a Ki-48 Lily or dive bomber over the Huon Gulf.
On September 16, 1943 he claimed another victory over Hansa Bay.
On February 10, 1944 he claimed another victory over Tadji.
Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command (V FC).
On March 3, 1944 took off piloting a P-38J Lightning with P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 pilot Captain Richard I. Bong on a fighter sweep and credited with two victories over Tadji Airfield.
On March 5, 1944 over Dagua Airfield he claimed an aerial victory, his twentieth aerial victory claim.
Missing In Action
On March 8, 1944 took off piloting P-38J 42-103987 on a fighter sweep over with P-38 piloted by Captain Richard I. Bong over Aitape. After strafing six Japanese barges in Aitape Harbor, his P-38 was damaged by anti-aircraft fire at low altitude. Bailing out low to the ground, his chute barely rippled open, and fellow pilot Richard I. Bong witnessed him hit the jungle and his P-38 crash. Declared missing in action, his remains were never found and he remains Missing In Action (MIA).
Aerial victory claims
Thomas J. Lynch was officially credited with destroying 20 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 3 probables and 2 damaged, all while flying P-38 Lightnings.
Assigned Aircraft
In the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) Lynch was assigned and known to fly several P-39 Airacobras and P-38 Lightnings between 1942 until he went Missing In Action (MIA) on March 8, 1944.
P-39D 41-6733 Lynch photographed in the cockpit, likely flown during May 1942
P-39 Airacobra piloted by Lynch bailed out June 16, 1942 off Port Moresby.
P-38G 42-12715 piloted by Lynch between
December 27, 1942 to January 7, 1943 on missions he claimed aerial victories.
P-38H 42-66532 assigned in late 1943 MIA piloted by 1st Lt. Lee C. Haigler on November 13, 1943.
P-38J 42-103987 piloted by Lynch MIA March 8, 1944 over Aitape.
Awards
Lynch earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DFC), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star, Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously. After his death, when Richard I. Bong made a 15-state publicity tour, including a visit to Lynch's family in Catasauqua, PA to pay his respects.
Memorials
Lynch was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.
He also has a memorial marker at Calvary Cemetery in North Catasauqua, PA.
References
"Lt. Col Thomas J. Lynch Killed in air duel in S. Pacific, Bride informed; Catasauqua stunned by death of ace"
"Major Richard I. Bong Flies P-38 to see Mrs. William J. Lynch, mother of late Catasauqua flier-ace"
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Lynch, Thomas J. page 119 (PDF page 126)
Hoy, Bruce. "Tropical Lightning Survivor", Flightpath Magazine, Volume 4 No. 2
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 33-34 (35th FG, 39th FS), 415-416 (Lynch)
AcePilots.com - Thomas Lynch, C.O. 39th FS
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas J. Lynch
FindAGrave - LTC Thomas J Lynch (photos, tablets of the missing)
FindAGrave - Thomas J Lynch (photo, memorial marker photo)
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