Today, the U. S. House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to name the new Toms River Veterans Clinic in honor of Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, a World War II hero and longtime Toms River resident. Click here for Smith’s full remarks.

              H. R. 2170, “To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey, the Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell, VA Clinic, and for other purposes,” formally recognizes and memorializes Lomell’s heroic military service and countless civilian contributions. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), gained bipartisan support among the full New Jersey Congressional Delegation and the House at large.

              Smith described Lomell as “one of the bravest and most highly decorated combat soldiers of World War II.” For his valorous service in World War II, Lomell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Legion of Honor medals.

              Lomell’s citation for his Distinguished Service Cross medal states, in part, “First Sergeant Lomell led a patrol of men through the heaviest kind of automatic weapons fire to destroy an enemy machine gun nest. Later on, the same day, while leading another patrol, he penetrated through the enemy lines to the rear and discovered five enemy 155-mm. guns... he gallantly led his patrol against the enemy and successfully destroyed the guns... First Sergeant Lomell’s bold and outstanding leadership in the face of superior numbers is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.”

              For his Silver Star medal, Lomell’s citation reads, “Conspicuously leading from the front, Lomell directed the successful defense of the hilltop in the face of a nearly overwhelming German counterattack midday… Refusing shelter and, at risk of life with blood oozing from his ears, nose, and mouth, firing his machine gun cradled in his bandaged left arm with his right hand, he continued to lead his men against another ruthless German assault throughout the entire afternoon.”

              Lomell, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 91, had deep ties to Ocean County, as he moved to Point Pleasant Beach as a young child and eventually graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School. After graduating from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1941, he returned to New Jersey to work, but soon thereafter enlisted in the Army following the United States’ intervention in World War II.

              At only 24 years old, First Sergeant Lomell of D Company, 2^nd Ranger Infantry Battalion, demonstrated courage and heroism far beyond his years during the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

              In his floor speech today, Smith described the “nearly impossible mission” Lomell and his Army Rangers were tasked with, stating that they needed to scale the “100-foot cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and destroy the Germans’ 155-millimeter artillery guns with a range of 10-15 miles that threatened the entire Allied invasion, which they believed were positioned at the top of the cliffs.”

              Despite heavy casualties and injuries—Lomell himself was wounded by a stray bullet in his side—Lomell and his Rangers persevered with their mission and successfully destroyed all the Germans’ concealed artillery guns with thermite grenades, saving countless lives and ensuring Allied success during the D-Day invasion.

              In addition to the pivotal role he played in the success of the D-Day invasion, Lomell also served in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, where he and his fellow servicemen in the D company helped to capture and defend the infamous Hill 400. Lomell was wounded at Hurtgen and again in the Battle of the Bulge, only a few weeks later, resulting in his honorable discharge in December of 1945.

              Upon his return to civilian life, Lomell married his long-term girlfriend and Long Branch-based public health nurse, Charlotte Ewart, and settled in Toms River. In addition to their three daughters—Georgine, Pauline, and Renee—the Lomells also raised as their own Elizabeth “Buffy” and Jay Bergson, the children of Charlotte’s sister who had passed away unexpectedly. A devoted husband and father, Lomell constantly instructed his children to “work hard, be respectful, and do the right thing.”

              Besides a caring husband and father, Lomell was also a highly active and accomplished participant in civil life who overwhelmingly contributed to his community. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Lomell attended and graduated from Rutgers Law School, marking the beginning of his highly successful legal career. Lomell founded and acted as the senior member of one of Ocean County’s largest and most successful law firms, the Lomell Law Firm, and served as the president of the Ocean County Bar Association.

             Moreover, Lomell was appointed to serve as the first director of the newly organized Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, where he assisted veterans with their transition to civilian life. He also served as a director of the First National Bank of Toms River; director of the South Jersey Title Insurance Company, Atlantic City; president of the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society; director of the Ocean County Historical Society; trustee of the Ocean County College Foundation; chairman of the Dover Township Juvenile Conference Committee; and member of the Dover Township Board of Education.

             Smith said, “The 68,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, which we hope will soon bear his name, provides both primary care as well as specialty care, including dental care, women's health care, mental health counseling, physical therapy, and laboratory services. It is only fitting that a clinic that has already done so much for our community be named after a true war hero who dedicated his life to the service of his country and its veterans.”

             “As President Reagan famously put it in his speech at Pointe du Hoc, the men who invaded Normandy, including and most especially Bud Lomell, ‘had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next.’ They were ‘the men who took the cliffs.’ They were ‘the champions who helped free a continent.’ They were ‘the heroes who helped end a war.’ In enduring gratitude to them, Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in bestowing this posthumous honor on Second Lieutenant Bud Lomell.” 

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Contact:
Teagan Gambert (202) 225-3765
http://chrissmith.house.gov