[Edward]

Tommy Lynch was a very popular officer as well as successful P-38 pilot from the 39th Fighter Squadron. He had flown combat missions over New Guinea since mid-May 1942. He was part of the team who first began flying the P-38 Lightning during the Buna campaign in November & December 1942. He later served as Squadron Commander in 1943. Tommy Lynch was revered by the men of his Squadron and was regarded as a hero back in the U.S.. He went out on that final mission with Dick Bong on 9 March 1944 and did not come home. Bong lived and returned to base while Lynch died. Regardless of what actually happened many of the men of V Fighter Command and especially those of the 39th Squadron had lost a hero and resented Bong.