|
| James
E. Lynch |
| NO.
17462 • 1 Apr 1928– 16 Aug 2003 |
Died in
Oftersheim, Germany
Interred in West Point Post Cemetery, West Point, NY |
James Edward Lynch was born in Peabody, MA, to William, who had
served in both world wars, and Mary Lynch. Perhaps because of his
father's background, Jim seemed to be preparing for West Point and
Army life even before he entered elementary school. According to
his older sisters, Marie and Eileen, Jim was often seen marching
up and down their driveway wearing their father’s WWI Army
cap with a toy rifle on his shoulder. As he advanced in school,
studies came easily, leaving him time for athletics and other activities.
During the summers, Jim worked for the local water department, where
the engineer became his mentor.
During his senior year in high school, Jim went to Washington to
see his congressman, George Bates, about an appointment to West
Point. Jim attended Millard Prep School in Washington, DC, and entered
West Point on 1 Jul 1946 with the Class of '50. Jim had no difficulty
with academics and, in Plebe year, played hockey and sang in the
Catholic choir. During Yearling year, he joined the weight lifting,
camera, and German dubs and directed the Catholic choir. Jim continued
his participation in cadet activities for the remaining two years,
continued to excel in academics, graduated in the top fifth of the
class, and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers.
During graduation leave, Jim and some other classmates toured London
and Paris before their leaves were cut short to send them to Korea,
where Jim was assigned as a platoon leader and, later, company commander
with the 3rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division.
Jim served with great distinction for 20 months, having supported
the division in several battles, for which he received two Bronze
Stars, an Air Medal, and a Commendation Medal. Jim’s next
assignments were at Ft. Belvoir, VA, as a company commander at the
Leaders Course; the Engineer District in New England; Princeton
University for a master's degree in civil engineering; aide to LTG
Uncles, VII Corps commander; instructor of military science and
tactics at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn; and aide to LTG
Walter Wilson, Chief of Engineers. Attendance at Command and General
Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth followed.
Jim’s next assignment was in Viet Nam in the construction
division of the Military Assistance Command headquarters located
in the Victoria Hotel in Saigon. On Jim’s 38th birthday, the
headquarters was bombed, and Jim was injured and awarded the Purple
Heart. For his work in that assignment, he was awarded his first
Legion of Merit. During 1967-68, he served with an engineer support
team for NASA and, in 1969, with an Engineer Base Development Team
in Korea. On his second tour in Viet Nam, he commanded the 554th
Engineer Construction Battalion, earning another Legion of Merit
and Bronze Star. He was next assigned as a student at the Army War
College. After graduation, he went to Viet Nam for the third time
as a senior advisor to the Vietnamese. He served during 1971-75
at USAREUR Headquarters and, from 1975 until his retirement in 1980,
was the commander of the Labor Service Command in Heidelberg, where
he spent the rest of his life. Upon retirement, he was awarded his
third Legion of Merit.
Although Jim retired from the Army in 1980 after 30 years of distinguished
service, he continued to serve. For many years after retirement,
Jim was a volunteer at the Heidelberg base hospital, where he assisted
Army retirees in health matters. He coordinated hospital care for
retirees and their families and for years was an active member of
the retired community. In the early 1990s, Jim suffered a severe
allergic reaction to prescribed medicine, resulting in six months
in hospitals, including three at Walter Reed, followed by five years
of medication. Upon regaining his health, he was asked by the Heidelberg
hospital commander to be his representative on the consumer health
committee. This position gave Jim a greater opportunity to serve
retirees, and he used that position to advance their cause.
Jim brought life and enthusiasm to his work, and although he appeared
quiet and unassuming, he had quite a sense of humor. In the Class
of '50 40 Year Book, Jim reported that, because of his ancestry,
he has been an Irish citizen since birth and had certain benefits
due to his Irish passport, writing, "So now I sign myself Jim
Lynch of Heidelberg, Germany, and Kilrush, Ireland." In the
50 Year Book, as a life long bachelor, Jim commented that, although
most classmates were reporting about their grandchildren and maybe
even great grandchildren, Jim noted, "I can report no runs,
no hits, and no errors."
After an illness of a few days, Jim died in his sleep at his home.
A memorial service was held for him on 28 Aug 2003 at the Nachrichten
Kaserne chapel. The true measure of a man is how others regard him.
COL Don Daniels, deputy commander for clinical services, said Jim
"was an icon at the hospital. He was well liked by everyone,
was present at every ceremony and event at the hospital. He especially
liked to attend our soldier events. COL Lynch will be greatly missed."
Another friend noted Jim’s devotion to his church and regular
attendance at the local U.S. Army Mark Twain Village Catholic parish.
Others who knew him were equally lavish in praise of Jim and counted
him as a friend.
Jim, you are a true son of West Point. You have carried the banner
of "Duty, Honor, Country' as nobly and as completely as any
graduate. We will miss you dearly.
- Classmate Louis Genuario
|
USMA 1950