Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), the author of more than a dozen laws to help our nation’s veterans and their families, today introduced legislation (HR 9997) to name the new veterans clinic in Toms River after World War II hero and longtime Toms River resident, Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. Smith’s bill, which notes that Lomell is “exceedingly deserving of the posthumous honor,” is already cosponsored by Reps. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ).

            “A decorated war hero and upstanding citizen, Bud Lomell sacrificed so much for our country and courageously led his platoon during the D-Day invasion of Normandy,” said Smith, who served two terms as Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “For his incredible leadership and remarkable bravery, Bud Lomell received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star.”

            “It is only fitting that the new modern health care facility in Toms River that will serve so many of our Nation’s heroes living in our community be named after one of our very own heroes from Ocean County,” Smith said.

            Smith’s legislation has received the strong support of the entire Lomell Family—including Bud’s surviving wife, Charlotte Ewart Lomell, who was married to Bud for 63 years.   

            After citing Lomell’s extraordinary heroism, HR 9997 concludes: “As a decorated war hero, model citizen, and dedicated husband and father, Second Lieutenant Lomell is exceedingly deserving of the posthumous honor of having a new and long-awaited Toms River-based Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic named in his honor.”

            Lomell, who served as a U.S. Army Ranger in World War II through multiple engagements including the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, was recognized by famed historian Stephen Ambrose as “the single individual—other than Dwight Eisenhower—as most responsible for the Allied successes on D-Day.”

            Lomell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor and leadership while scaling the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc in a critical and highly difficult mission to disable an installment of German heavy guns. He later earned a Silver Star for his actions to capture and secure Hill 400 in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, during which he led the Rangers in defending the hilltop against a German counterattack, even after being severely wounded.

            After serving our nation overseas, Lomell returned home to Ocean County, where he was appointed to serve as the first director of the newly organized Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau to assist veterans with their transition to civilian life. He went on to study law on the GI Bill and also served as President of the Ocean County Bar Association, a director of the First National Bank of Toms River, and a member of the then Dover Township Board of Education. He died of natural causes in 2011 at his Toms River home.

            The new Toms River clinic—a 68,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility located on Hooper Ave—will replace Ocean County’s Brick clinic that Smith secured in 1991 but can no longer accommodate the large veterans population in the area. As part of his push to establish that clinic, Smith had authored three amendments passed by the House of Representatives to bring a Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic, for the first time, to Ocean County.

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