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Changing the guard
Gen. Lynch retires as the commander of Fort Knox
By Bill Osinski,
Courier-Journal Stiff Writer
FORT KNOX, Ky. Fifteen howitzer blasts pealed across the Army airfield
tarmac, the two men with the scrambled-eggs hats exchanged a yellow flag, and Tank Town had a new mayor.
The military hardware trappings for yesterday's change-of-command ceremony at Fort Knox were a mixture of the tools for old and for future wars.
The retiring base commander is Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Lynch a draftee who rose through the Army's ranks; his replacement is Maj. Gen. Louis C. Wagner Jr. a West Point graduate who comes to Kentucky from Army headquarters.
In yesterday's ceremony the two rode in a World War II halftrack to review a long, gray-green line of tanks and troops.
M-60 tanks, the Army's current frontline model, made up most of the armament in the formations. At the end of the line, however, were a couple of XM-ls, the next-generation battle tank, which has been field tested mostly at Fort Knox.
Lynch's departure comes shortly after the decision was announced to commit to full-scale production of the new tank. Along with a new armored personnel carrier and an expected new attack helicopter, these weapons signify a return in tactics to the combined-forces concept that was prevalent in the Army he entered in 1945, Lynch said in his parting comments.
However, he added, the public attitude toward the military has not made a similar swing.
"We do not have an understanding public," Lynch said. "A majority don't understand the threat we face." That should not be the soldier's main concern, though, he said. "It's not our job to engage in politics, to quarrel with our leadership," Lynch said. "It's our duty to serve . . . our duty to fight ... our duty to die."
After giving Wagner the flag with the crossed swords and tank symbolizing the Army's armored divisions, Lynch received the last medal of a military career that had already included a chestful of medals for combat action in Korea and Vietnam. This last award was the Distinguished Service Medal. In a citation accompanying the award, President Carter called Lynch "the guiding force" in the XM-1 testing program.
Summing up his 35 years in the Army, Lynch said: "It's been a sporty track, a fast track." Then the Army band played "The Caissons Go Rolling Along."
[The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY, 07 Jun 1980, Sat, LATE KENTUCKY EDITION, Page 3] |
Retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Patrick Lynch, a most devoted servant and soldier to God and country, went to his heavenly home Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.
He was born March 3, 1927, in Janesville, Minnesota, to Thomas Philip Lynch and Sybella Magdalene (Breuer) Lynch.
Experiencing very humble beginnings in Minnesota, Thomas learned early to work hard and help others. He was influenced with a deep faith by his grandparents and numerous aunts. At the age of 18, Thomas was drafted into the U.S. Army.
He served in the enlisted ranks from private to master sergeant. During this time, he primarily served with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division. He then accepted a direct commission to second lieutenant in 1952. In 1954, he transferred to Armor. Retired Maj. Gen. Lynch is a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. His awards included Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal with V Device (2OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Air Medal with V Device (5OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Good Conduct Medal with Clasp, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal (1OLC), Republic of Korea Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Commander's Cross Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (2nd Award), Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge and Master Parachutist Badge.
Thomas was instrumental in the development and production of the Abrams M-1 tank. After 35 years of service, Maj. Gen. Lynch finished his career as commanding general of the U.S. Army Armor Center and Commandant of the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox and retired from the U.S. Army in 1980.
From 1980 to 2013, Thomas lived his life's
passion with justice and in the service of others. He followed Micah
6:8, which
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challenges us to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
He was involved in many ministries for St. James Catholic Church in Elizabethtown, including St. Vincent de Paul Outreach and ministering to the sick and homebound. He also served as chairperson of the Peace and Justice Commission and on the advisory board of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Louisville. His devout faith was an inspiration to those he knew and he carried this strength into his peaceful passing.
Thomas was an avid golfer, handball player and racquetball player. He was known throughout his early years for boxing, football, basketball, as well as track and military pentathlon. He traveled the world in his career, but most enjoyed time with family and friends. He will be remembered for his Irish roots, quick, dry sense of humor, steady character and love for his fellow man.
Thomas was preceded in death by wife Carol Newbill Lynch (1951-1994), infant son Gregory Allen Lynch, two sisters Colleen Nelson and Theresa Ohnstad, grandson Jacob Rhew, and great-granddaughter, Madison Stith.
Survivors include his loving wife of 23 years, Mary Katherine Katchie Miller Lynch; a son, Mike Lynch (Tomoko); four daughters, Maureen Sturdevant, Theresa Kaser (Doug), Molly Grogan and Susan Douglas (Jim); five stepdaughters, Lee Anne Werner, Patti Stith (Greg), Mary Lou Newcomb (Mike), Terri Cecil (Matt), Karen Miller (Sandy Woods); a stepson, Andy Miller (Mollie); and a sister, Sadie Glynn of Rochester, Minnesota. Thomas enjoyed the love of 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown and continues from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at St. James Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial, presided by Father Bill Fichteman, follows at 11 a.m. Interment is at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at St. James Catholic Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations to St. Vincent de Paul Outreach of St. James Catholic Church or Helping Hand of Hope Elizabethtown are appreciated.
[The News-Enterprise, Elizabethtown,KY, Oct. 31, 2018] |
