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Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch
39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, 5th Fighter Command
Ace Pilot credited with 20 Victories
P-38G-1-LO Lightning Serial Number 42-12715Background
Thomas J. Lynch was born December 9, 1916 in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Nicknamed "Tommy". During 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet and completed flight training and earned his wings then was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-388066.
Wartime History
During 1942 as a 1st Lieutenant sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Assigned to 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) flying the P-39 Airacobra and P-400 Airacobra defending the Port Moresby area.
On May 20, 1942 took off piloting an Airacobra over Port Moresby and claimed his first two aerial victories over Waigani. On May 26, 1942 took off from Port Moresby to intercept Japanese planes and claimed his third aerial victory over Mount Lawes. On June 16, 1942 took off piloting P-39 Airacobra and was bounced by a pair of A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). Although he managed to escape, another four Zero intercepted damaging his plane. Unable to return to base, he bailed out and broke his arm, but returned to duty.
Afterwards, the 39th FS converted to P-38 Lightnings.