USAAF
5th AF
35th FG
39th FS
Pilot Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch, O-338066 (Catasauqua, PA) (KIA)
Force Landed March 8, 1944
Pilot History
Lynch joined the USAAC in 1940. Lynch claimed 3 victories in a P-39: two over New Guinea on May 20, 1942 and another on May 26, 1942. On June 16, 1942 he bailed out of a P-39 Airacobra and broke his arm. Next, the 39th converted to P-38s. In 1943, Lynch ran up his score and was promoted to Major, and Commanding Officer of the whole 35th Fighter Group. On one occasion, he had to bail out of his P-38 over the water, and broke his arm in the process. On September 4, over the Huon Gulf, he became one of the first in the theater to down a Ki-48 Lily bomber.
Promoted to Lt. Col prior to his death, he was credited with a total of 20 victories. Decorations included DSC, DFC with 3 OLC's, Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. After his death, Richard Bong made a 15-state publicity tour, and stopped in Catasauqua to visit Lynch's grieving family
Mission History
On a sweep over Aitape Harbor, a pair of P-38s, this aircraft and another piloted by Richard Bong spotted six Japanese barges. Both fired setting at least one of them on fire. As the two pilots came around for a second pass, gunfire opened up from below, and caught Lynch's P-38 in the right engine.
Lynch nursed his aircraft along, and it burst into flames. Bong radioed him to get out. Lynch desperately fought for altitude, and as the plane struggled, he finally bailed out. Too close to the ground. His chute barely rippled, and Bong witnessed him hit the jungle, and his aircraft crash nearby.
Wreckage
The P-38 crashed one mile SSW of Aitape in a mangrove swamp.
References
Thomas Lynch, C.O. 39th FS on AcePilots.com
P-38
