TOMS RIVER – A bill to name the Toms River Veterans Administration clinic after Lt. Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell has passed the House of Representatives. It now has to pass the Senate.

  Lomell, who had been drafted into the United States Army in 1942, served as an Army Ranger during World War II.

  Tom Brokaw dedicated a chapter to Lomell in his book “The Greatest Generation.” Steven M. Gillon wrote an entire book about his life before and after the war, called “Len Lomell: D-Day Hero.”

  Congressman Chris Smith (R-2nd) sponsored the bill, and 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.

(The new VA Clinic is located on Hooper Avenue in Toms River. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)

  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.”

  Months later, 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.

  After the war, he married Charlotte Ewart, a nurse, and they raised a large family. He became an attorney and served as the president of the Ocean County Bar Association. He was the first director of the 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.

  He passed away in 2011 at the age of 91.

  Opening last year, the Toms River Veterans Administration clinic replaced the James J. Howard Outpatient Clinic, located at 970 Route 70 in Brick. The need of veterans in the area outgrew the smaller clinic, leading to a long process to replace it. The new facility is twice the size and has ample parking, since parking was one of the issues at the Brick site. It also neighbors county services.