Medal of Honor: Allen James Lynch – Vietnam War – December 15, 1967

Name: Allen James Lynch

Rank: Sergeant (then Specialist Four)
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Place and Date: Near My An (2), Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam – 15 December 1967
Entered Service At: Chicago, Illinois
Born: October 28, 1945 – Chicago, Illinois
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: Illinois

Summary of Action

On December 15, 1967, near the village of My An in Binh Dinh Province, Specialist Four Allen J. Lynch was serving as a radio telephone operator with the forward element of Company D when the unit was heavily engaged by a numerically superior enemy force.

Rapidly assessing the situation, Lynch relayed critical information to his commander—information that proved essential to the company’s ability to respond effectively. During the fight, he observed three wounded soldiers lying exposed in open ground under intense enemy fire. Without hesitation, he sprinted across approximately 50 meters of open terrain through a withering hail of fire to reach them and administer aid.

Seeking a covered position to protect the wounded, Lynch reconnoitered a nearby trench. As he entered it, he encountered enemy soldiers and killed two at point-blank range. Having cleared the position, he returned to the exposed area and, under continued heavy fire, made three separate trips to carry the wounded men to the safety of the trench.

When superior enemy firepower forced Company D to withdraw, Lynch refused to abandon the wounded. Remaining alone, he defended his isolated position for two hours against advancing enemy forces. Armed only with his rifle and a grenade, he repelled repeated assaults, killing five enemy soldiers and stopping them just short of his trench.

Despite the danger, Lynch again crossed open ground—this time over 70 meters—five additional times to move the wounded to a more secure location. Only after ensuring their safety did he seek out a counterattacking friendly unit to assist in directing the attack and arranging evacuation of the casualties.

By his repeated acts of courage, steadfast devotion to his comrades, and complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Lynch saved lives and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

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 3 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 2 enemy soldiers at point blank range. With the trench cleared, he unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area 3 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 2 hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing 5. Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain 5 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 3 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.