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Asbury Park Press article on legislation to name Toms River VA Clinic after Leonard G. 'Bud' Lomell'Name of one of the greatest heroes of D-Day could soon grace Toms River VA clinic'By Jean Mikle Asbury Park Press staff
TOMS RIVER -- The Veterans Administration clinic here is one step closer to being named for a hometown hero. The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill July 21 to name the Hooper Avenue clinic after the late Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, an Army veteran who was one of the most highly decorated combat soldiers of World War II. Lomell, then a staff sergeant, is best known for leading a group of Army Rangers up the steep cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on D-Day in Normandy, to take out five big German guns. The guns, which had a 10- to 15-mile range, threatened troops who would be landing on Utah and Omaha beaches.
"Today the House of Representatives has the opportunity to further recognize and honor one of the bravest and most highly decorated combat soldiers of World War II — Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell — by naming the new veterans outpatient clinic in Toms River, New Jersey in his honor," U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said in remarks on the House floor before the vote the legislation. "While Bud Lomell passed away in 2011 at 91, his dear wife Charlotte is turning 104 in September and she and her family deeply loved Bud and continue to deeply cherish his memory." Historian Stephen Ambrose has described Lomell as the single individual, besides Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower, who was most responsible for the success of the June 6, 1944, invasion of France. The Senate is in recess but is expected to consider the clinic naming bill sometime within the next few weeks. If it passes, it would then go to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.
It was introduced in the House by Smith after former Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran, suggested that the building be named after Lomell. Smith praised Hill for his advocacy and his initial idea of naming the 68,000-square-foot clinic, which opened in November, after the World War II hero. Hill proposed naming the clinic after Lomell more than two years ago, with the hope that Lomell's name could be on the building in time for its opening in November 2024. But delays in Congress meant the legislation was not ready on time. Lomell grew up in Point Pleasant Beach, graduating from Point Pleasant Beach High School and then Tennessee Wesleyan College. He returned to New Jersey and soon joined the Army.
During the planning for D-Day, Lomell and his platoon received their assignment: to scale the sheer, 100-foot-high cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and take out the cache of German guns. Lomell was shot in the side as he exited the landing craft, but in spite of the pain he and his platoon continued to the cliffs. As they climbed up on ropes, many were killed or fell to their deaths, and another surprise awaited when Lomell and his remaining men reached the top. The "guns" were actually telephone poles placed at angles to mimic weaponry. Lomell and two other Rangers went off in search of the missing weapons, finding them unguarded in an apple orchard, where they destroyed them with grenades and other explosives. Lomell is featured in a chapter of Tom Brokaw's book, "The Greatest Generation," as well as in a book released in 2023 by author Stephen Gillon, "Len Lomell — D-Day Hero." Lomell received a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions — the second highest military decoration. Later, he received a Silver Star for his bravery at the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, where he was again wounded. He also received a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and France's highest military award, the Legion of Honor.After the war ended, Lomell attended Rutgers University, graduating from its law school and founding a firm that became one of Ocean County's largest. He married Charlotte Ewart, a public health nurse, and settled in Toms River, where he raised three daughters, along with the son and daughter of Charlotte's sister, after she passed away suddenly. Lomell was active in numerous civic organizations and served as the first director of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, helping vets with their transition back to civilian life. A painting of the Rangers at Pointe du Hoc hangs in the L. Manuel Hirshblond meeting room on the second floor of Toms River's town hall, while a street in Toms River is named Lomell Lane. This article was published online on July 24, 2025 and can be found at: |
