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Medal of Honor Recipient Allen Lynch gets a standing ovation at the Chicago Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony. Two Illinois Army National Guard retirees; Medal of Honor Recipient Allen Lynch and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Memorial Day Grand Marshal Coast Guard Rear Admiral Zeita Merchant, in honoring fallen U.S. service members at the Chicago Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony on Saturday, May 25, on Daley Plaza in Chicago. Lynch, of Gurnee, earned the Medal of Honor on Dec. 15, 1967 in Vietnam while serving with the U.S. Army's Co. D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Lynch (then Sp4c.) distinguished himself while serving as a radio telephone operator with Company D. While serving in the forward element on an operation near the village of My An, his unit became heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force. Quickly and accurately assessing the situation, Sgt. Lynch provided his commander with information which subsequently proved essential to the unit's successful actions. Observing three wounded comrades lying exposed to enemy fire, Sgt. Lynch dashed across 50 meters of open ground through a withering hail of enemy fire to administer aid. Reconnoitering a nearby trench for a covered position to protect the wounded from intense hostile fire, he killed two enemy soldiers at point-blank range. With the trench cleared, he unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area three times to carry the wounded men to safety. When his company was forced to withdraw by the superior firepower of the enemy, Sgt. Lynch remained to aid his comrades at the risk of his life rather than abandon them. Alone, he defended his isolated position for two hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing five. Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain five times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area. Once he had assured their comfort and safety, Sgt. Lynch located the counterattacking friendly company to assist in directing the attack and evacuating the three casualties. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in the highest traditions of the military service. Sgt. Lynch has reflected great credit on himself, the 12th Cavalry, and the U.S. Army."
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2024 20:26 |
| Photo ID: | 8431423 |
| VIRIN: | 240525-A-OH563-9625 |
| Resolution: | 2303x1681 |
| Size: | 1.02 MB |
| Location: | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Medal of Honor Recipient, Glass Ceiling Shattering Coast Guard Admiral, and U.S. Senator Honor Fallen at Chicago Memorial Day Wreath-laying Ceremony [Image 36 of 36], by LTC Bradford Leighton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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