Alumni Hall of Fame
Military Service to Country (2023)

Michael Lynch, a native of St. Marys, was a member of the St. Marys Memorial High School Class of 1965.

On April 11, 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, followed by Air Traffic Control training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita County, Texas, and Tactical Air Command training and Loadmaster training at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio.

In March 1967, Mr. Lynch was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, for two years, where he participated in numerous missions in Vietnam. On February 14, 1968, Sergeant Lynch was the Loadmaster on a C-130 Hercules aircraft that was involved in a tactical emergency resupply airdrop in Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). For his actions that day, he was awarded one of the highest military awards, the United States Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross. The Distinguished Flying Cross Medal is awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight. The heroism or achievement must be entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine.

Sergeant Lynch’s Citation states, “Sergeant Michael J. Lynch distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on a C-130 Loadmaster at Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 14 February 1968. On that date, Sergeant Lynch flew on a tactical emergency resupply airdrop of vitally needed supplies to friendly combat ground forces besieged at Khe Sahn. Under extremely hazardous and challenging conditions, Sergeant Lynch aggressively pursued and successfully completed this crucial mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Lynch reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”

Sergeant Lynch was Honorably Discharged from the United States Air Force in February 1970. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

In March 1976, Mike joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) as a Special Agent in Indianapolis, Indiana. He transferred to the Chicago, Illinois, office in 1978 where he was a skilled investigator and a member of the SWAT Team. He remained there until his tragic death in the line of duty on December 16, 1982. On that day, Special Agent Lynch and three other agents were accompanying a bank fraud and embezzlement subject to Cincinnati, Ohio, to recover the embezzled money. The twin-engine Cessna, piloted by Special Agents with the FBI, showed inaccurate altimeter readings, resulting in the plane flying into power lines, killing everyone onboard. Mr. Lynch was laid to rest at Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys. In September 2021, the City of St. Marys dedicated a memorial garden to Lynch, on East Spring Street near his boyhood home.

 

In recognition of Sergeant Lynch’s exceptional skills and courage under fire and for his service to our country in the United States Air Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation inducts Sergeant Michael J. Lynch into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation’s Hall of Fame for Military Service to Country