Lt Col Thomas J. Lynch
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 35th Fighter Group, 39th Fighter Squadron
5th Fighter Command (V Fighter Command), Headquarters
Ace Pilot with 20 Victories
Background
Thomas J. Lynch was born December 9, 1916 to parents William J. Lynch and Alice S. née McGeehan Lynch in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Nicknamed "Tommy". He attended high school then attended University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) class of 1940 in the school of engineering. He was also an member of the ROTC, Scabbard and Blade honorary military society and freshman boxing team and active in intramural sports. At the Seton Hill College senior prom, he met Rosemary Fullen of Swissvale, PA who he began dating and later married.
Wartime History
On January 27, 1941 enlisted in Pittsburgh, PA in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as private with serial number 13057281. He completed flight training. On June 20, 1941 became the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Lynch earned his wings then was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-388066. In early 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 but broke his arm holding onto the door for too long and was hospitalized for the injury.
On July 26, 1942 the 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) began converting to the P-38F Lightning at Garbut Field at Townsville.
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 January 20, 1943 at 14 Mile Drome a U.S. Army Signal Corps photographer took pictures of 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) 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 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.
On March 24, 1943 Lynch became the Commanding Officer (C. O.) of the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG). Later, promoted to the rank of Major.
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.
During October 1943, Lynch was sent home to the United States for 30 days of leave. On October 23, 1943 he married Rosemary Fullen at St. Anselm Church in Swissvale, PA. She who worked as a time analyst for the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.
In early February 1944 assigned to Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command (V FC).
On February 10, 1944 he claimed another victory over Tadji.
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 was credited with two victories and a damaged Ki-21 Sally over Tadji Airfield.
On March 5, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield piloting a P-38J Lightning with P-38J "Marge" 42-103993 pilot Captain Richard I. Bong on a mission over Dagua Airfield. Afterwards, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Missing In Action
On March 8, 1944 took off piloting P-38J 42-103987 on a fighter sweep over with P-38J 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-38G 42-12859 assigned to Lynch.
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.
While home on a publicity tour, Major Richard I. Bong vistied Lynch's widow in Pittsburgh, PA on May 12, 1944. Later, he flew to Catasauqua, PA to visit Lynch's mother Mrs. Alice S. Lynch on June 15, 1944.
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.
Relatives
Rosemary Fullen Lynch (wife)
William J. Lynch (father died 1954)
Alice S. McGeehan Lynch (mother died 1965)
Mary E. Lynch Gillespie (sister born 1914 died 1980)
Alice M. Lynch Oswald (sister bonn 1915 died 2005)
William H. Lynch (brother born 1918 died 1966)
Philip A. Lynch (brother born 1921 died 2003)
Norine R. Lynch Meehan (sister born 1924 died 1987)
Catherine Lynch Pirog (sister)
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Thomas J. Lynch date of birth listed as 1917, sic 1916
Individual Deceased Personnel File
(IDPF) - Thomas J. Lynch
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) unnumbered, included with IDPF created March 10, 1944
News "Lt. Col Thomas J. Lynch Killed in air duel in S. Pacific, Bride informed; Catasauqua stunned by death of ace"
News "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)
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph "Pitt Airman Bags 20th Jap" March 8, 1944 page 3
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph “Nemesis of Japs Maj. Bong’s Own Story” May 7, 1944 by Richard I. Bong and Lee Van Atta pages 1, 3
(Page 3) "Lynch didn't give them any time to consider the matter, either. He took us down into a screaming really screaming dive and we let go of our belly tanks on the way. Mine didn't want to come off, but what I couldn't do automatically the wind pressure took care of. It was a major problem to say with Lynch – he was all over the place and I finally gave up and concentrated on a war of my own."
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph “Nemesis of Jap Fliers: Major Bong Tells of Col. Thom Lynch, Pitt Hero [Fifth Chapter].” by Richard I. Bong and Lee Van Atta, May 11, 1944 page 6
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph "Bong Sees Hero’s Widow" May 13, 1944 page 1
Daily News "Mrs. Thomas Lynch greets Major Richard I. Bong" June 15, 1944 page 557 (photo)
Green Bay Press-Gazette "Mr.s Thomas Lynch" June 15, 1944 page 1 (photo)
Harrisburg Telegraph "Hero Meets Hero's Mother" June 16, 1944 page 7 (photo)
U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945 frame 8900
Hoy, Bruce. "Tropical Lightning Survivor", Flightpath Magazine, Volume 4 No. 2
Dear Mom:
So We Have A War (1991) by Carl Bong (brother) pages 335-336 (Letter March 13, 1944)
(Page 335) "Dear Mom , 3/1344... Everything is okay here, although I'm not in very high spirits now. I suppose you have read in the papers about Col. Kearby and Col. Lynch being lost in action. I was with Lynch at the time and it wasn't pretty."
(Page 336) "Did I tell you I picked up a few bullet holes again the day [March 8, 1944] Col. Lynch went down? Nothing serious, but it hurt my pride a little."
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 33-34 (35th FG, 39th FS), 415-416 (Lynch)
The Missions and P-38 Lightnings of Richard I. Bong: A Synopsis (2002) page 29 (February 15, 1944 and February 28, 1944), 30 (Lynch), 30A (photo)
MacArthur's Eagles (2005) pages 77-78, 84, 125-126, 343 (index Lynch)
Race of Aces (2020) pages 316-317 (Flying Circus), 515 (index Kearby)
Flying Circus Fighter Sweep at Tadji Drome by Jack Fellows
AcePilots.com - Thomas Lynch, C.O. 39th FS
Fold3 Thomas J Lynch
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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