Thomas J. Lynch

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Thomas J. Lynch (0-388066), Captain (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 December 1942, in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations. On that date, Captain Lynch lead a flight of 12 P-38s off Schwimmer airstrip to intercept a flight of 40 Japanese fighters and bombers over Buna on the northern coast of New Guinea. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Captain Lynch fearlessly led his flight in destroying twelve of the enemy aircraft, personally shooting down two of them himself. Captain Lynch’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.