Photo By Spc. Cheyenne Mayer | Joanne Showman, daughter of 1st. Lt. Thomas Lombardo, cuts a ribbon to symbolize the...... read more read more
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CAMP CASEY, South Korea – U.S. Army, Republic of Korea soldiers, and family members gathered together to rededicate Lombardo Field in honor of 1st Lt. Thomas Lombardo, a Korean War hero whose legacy of courage and selflessness continues to inspire generations, April 8, 2025, at Camp Casey.
The field now bears the name of the former company commander of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. 1st Lt. Lombardo was killed in action while leading his men during intense fighting on a hilltop near Ch’ogye, South Korea.
“As a young officer I’ve always known about him- the Lombardo family only has two people that really served,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Lombardo, commanding general for the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division. “I’ve always studied him in history, watching him from afar, but it just means the world to keep his legacy alive.”
The 38th Infantry Regiment was deployed June 25, 1950, after North Korea invaded South Korea. 1st Lt. Lombardo took charge of Company I. On the night of September 18, 1950, he led his company by successfully crossing the border between the North and South, sending the North Korean forces into the fight. 1st Lt. Lombardos’ regiment was in pursuit and his company was left behind in order to find and destroy the enemies bypassed strong points. On September 24, 1950, on a hilltop near Ch’ogye, South Korea, he led his men to carry out an assault on the enemy position. The enemy was routed but 1st Lt. Lombardo was mortally wounded as the enemy abandoned their position.
“He could’ve stayed up in a division staff- he fought so hard to get down,” said Maj. Gen. Lombardo. “He fought so hard to get down, he wanted to be with soldiers, lead from the front, and didn’t want to be in the staff. The fact he fought in such a very dangerous time in the war to get down there with them. I think that speaks volumes about his character and his commitment and his duty to his countrymen and to his soldiers.”
Known as one of the regiment’s most respected leaders, 1st Lt. Lombardo was also a star football player in St. Louis and West Point Military Academy Cadet, starring for West Point’s 1944 national championship team. He embodied the spirit of leadership both on and off the battlefield. His determination to be with his troops, despite the risks, reflects a deep sense of duty and loyalty.
The rededication ceremony served not only as a remembrance of 1st Lt. Lombardo’s sacrifice, but as a reaffirmation of the values he lived and died by, values that continue to guide the 2nd Infantry Division to this day.
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2025 00:46 |
| Story ID: | 495067 |
| Location: | KR |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Lombardo Field Rededicated in Honor of 1st Lt. Thomas Lombardo, by SPC Cheyenne Mayer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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