Tommy Lynchard

Enlisted at Jackson, MS, on 26 April 1943; boot camp at MCRD San Diego with 9th Recruit Battalion, and advanced infantry training with Company A, Infantry Battalion, Camp Elliott.

Joined Able Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton on 26 August 1943.

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 746 (Automatic rifleman)
Important Events:
July 8, 1944 – wounded in action (grenade shrapnel, multiple); evacuated to unknown location.

As we advanced, several Japs jumped from a dugout, which was an earth-covered cellar, and began throwing hand grenades. At least 10 or 15 seemed to be going over me, so I knelt down on one knee and began to fire. Thought I had wiped them out just as one exploded about 4 ft behind me. I was stunned, it blew off my helmet, and I was at least 4 ft from [my] BAR.

I was laying on my face [with] blood running down in my eyes, when I got my bearings back ten or 15 [seconds] later. Frankly I thought I was dying, I did pray to God to not let me die. I tried to get up, but my back was numb and I couldn’t move my legs.

I knew as close as I was to Japs they would finish me off. Our boys had moved out about 125 yards or more. I was the only one that couldn’t walk or run. I  pushed myself with my hands and dragged my legs to reach my BAR. I didn’t worry about my helmet, I turned the BAR on the Japs again. One or two were still trying to operate, but every time they moved I’d give them a burst of bullets.

My platoon regrouped, and in about 5 or 10 minutes two boys came and dragged me back to safety. One of the guys was a smart mouth, and I had never liked him, but after what he did for me, I could overlook all his faults. I told him “you’ve made me your friend the hard way.”
– Tommy Lynchard

Campaign Narrative

Did not participate in the Tinian campaign due to battle wounds.

Aboard USS Relief for treatment and transport as of 20 July 1944; admitted to US Naval Hospital #10 (Aiea Heights). Discharged from hospital on 29 August 1944, to Casual Company, FMF Pacific.

Rejoined Able Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Maui on 17 October 1944.

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 746 (Automatic rifleman)
Important Events:
March 2, 1945 – wounded in action (gunshot, right shoulder, serious); evacuated to USS James O’Hara.

Campaign Narrative

Admitted to US Naval Hospital 18 (Guam) on 8 March 1945. To USNH Oakland, CA on 10 May 1945 for continued treatment.

In June 1945, transferred to US Naval Hospital Memphis, TN. In hospital or on duty with Casual Company, Marine Aviation Detachment, Memphis through October 1945.

Honorably discharged on 4 October 1945 with rank of corporal.