John Joseph Lynch Jr

Military
media-17296.jpeg UPL 17296 Squadron Leader John Joseph 'Johnny' Lynch Jr, Commanding Officer of No 249 Squadron RAF, sits in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire Mark VC at Krendi, Malta, as an airman chalks "Malta's 1,000th" below his victory tally.

Object Number - UPL 17296 - Squadron Leader John Joseph 'Johnny' Lynch Jr, Commanding Officer of No 249 Squadron RAF, sits in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire Mark VC at...

Born 3 February 1918. From Alhambra California. Joined the USAAC in the late 30's and learned to fly. Lived in Oklahoma and was a pilot instructor there. When the USA didn't enter the war soon enough, he joined the RAF in Canada in 1941.
Trained at the Polaris Flight Academy with Jim Peck, "Mac" McLeod and 6 others. Stayed with the same group throughout their training all the way to the Eagle Squadrons in the UK. Trained at No.56 OTU in September 1941 and was posted to 232 Squadron RAF. Joined 121 Eagle Squadron in October 1941 and subsequently, posted to 71 Eagle Squadron. Posted to Malta in September 1942 there he joined 249 Squadron becoming a Flight Commander (F/L) early in 1943, he was promoted to S/L in March and was awarded the DFC in June and a Bar the following month.
That same month he transferred to the USAAF but flew no more combat mission for the duration, he stayed in the USAF after the war and died 9 Mar. '56 when his F-84 crashed near Naha Air Field.

Distinguished Flying Cross
Citation: "Flight Lieutenant Lynch has completed 97 sorties,
including many sweeps and fighter bomber operations over Sicily. He has organised and led many sorties over areas in which the enemy was expected to be very active and, on 3 such operations, he destroyed a total of 4 enemy aircraft. In one low level bombing attack, Flight Lieutenant Lynch destroyed a locomotive while, on the return flight, he shot down an enemy air transport by machine gun fire. This officer is a fine fighter whose great skill and devotion to duty have contributed materially to the success of the squadron he commands."

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Citation: "This officer is a skilful fighter, whose courageous example has inspired the squadron he commands. Squadron Leader Lynch has taken part in many sorties and has led his formations with great determination. He has destroyed 12 enemy aircraft."

Victories Include :
17 April 1942 1/2 x Ju88 Destroyed
19 July 1942 1/2 x Fw190 Destroyed
11 Dec 1942 1 x Me110 Destroyed
1 x Ju52/3m Probable
13Dec 1942 1/2 x Ju88 Destroyed
14 Dec 1942 1/3 x Ju88 Destroyed
17 Dec 1942 1/3 x Ju88 Destroyed
1/3 x Ju88 Destroyed
7 Feb 1943 1/2 x Ju52/3m Destroyed
7 Apr 1943 1 x Ju88 Destroyed
22 April 1943 2 x Ju52/3m Destroyed
25 April 1943 1 x Ca313 Destroyed
28 April 1943 1½ x Ju52/3m Destroyed
10 May 1943 1 x Z506b Destroyed
1 x Ju52/3m Destroyed
1 x Z506b Destroyed
1 x Me210 Damaged
13 July 1943 1 x Fw190 Destroyed

13 / 1 / 1.5

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

California, USA 3 February 1918 Born 3 February 1918.

Died

Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan 9 March 1956 Died 9 Mar 56 when his F-84 crashed near Naha Air Field.
Alhambra, CA, USA From Alhambra, California, USA.

Other

Joined the RAF

Canada Joined the RAF in Canada in 1941.

Other

Trained as Pilot

Canada Trained at the Polaris Flight Academy.

Enlisted

Sutton Bridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12, UK Trained at No 56 OTU in September 1941.

Other

Assigned to

Sumburgh, Shetland, Shetland Islands ZE3, UK Posted to 232 Sqn RAF.

Other

Transferred

Kirton in Lindsey, Gainsborough, North Lincolnshire DN21, UK Joined 121 [Eagle] Squadron RAF in October 1941.

Other

Transferred

Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK Posted to 71 [Eagle] Squadron RAF.

Other

Transferred

Malta Posted to 249 Sqn RAF, Malta in September 1942.

Other

Promoted

Malta Promoted to Flight Commander.

Other

Promoted

Malta Promoted to Squadron Leader

Other

Awarded

Malta Awarded DFC.

Other

Awarded

Malta Awarded Bar to his DFC.

Other

Transferred

Transferred to the USAAF. July 1943.

Revisions

Date25 Feb 2016 20:00:00
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to unit associations and place associations
Date16 Aug 2015 18:47:38
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesCreated entry with surname, middlename, firstname, suffix, nickname, nationality, highest rank, role, biography, events, unit associations, place associations and aircraft associations

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