Press Release
Bill heads to President Trump's desk for signatureSenate passes Smith bill to name Toms River VA Clinic after WWII hero, Leonard G. "Bud" LomellIn a rare Saturday voting session, the U.S. Senate passed HR 2170, legislation introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to name the Toms River VA outpatient clinic in honor of Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, an Army Ranger and longtime Toms River resident who played a pivotal role in the success of the D-Day invasion. “A hometown hero, Bud Lomell has been nationally recognized and is one of the bravest and most highly decorated combat soldiers of World War II. We are thrilled that this legislation now goes to President Trump for his signature, officially memorializing Bud’s courageous leadership and heroism,” said Smith, the former Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, who represents a large portion of Ocean County, including Toms River. “It is especially fitting that Bud’s wife, Charlotte, who will turn 104 in September, his daughter, Renee, and his other family members and friends will get to witness their beloved Bud being honored with the naming of this clinic, a medical facility which is already providing quality medical care to veterans from his hometown of Toms River, as well as the fourth congressional district at large.” The new, state-of-the-art VA facility that will soon bear Bud’s name first opened its doors in October of 2024. It has already served more than 8,000 veterans, providing primary and specialty care to the growing and aging veterans community in Ocean County. This new facility replaces the Brick VA clinic, which Smith originally secured funding for in 1991. On D-Day, as the First Sergeant of the newly-formed D Company, Lomell was tasked with leading his fellow Rangers in the “nearly impossible mission” of scaling the 100-foot cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and destroying the Germans’ 155-millimeter artillery guns, which had a range of 10-15 miles and could fire on multiple Allied landing points, jeopardizing the entire invasion. Lomell, despite sustaining a bullet wound in his side during the landing, was one of the first Rangers to climb up the cliffs. With fellow Ranger Sergeant Jack Kuhn providing cover, Lomell used thermite grenades to destroy the guns, breaking the sights with the butt of his rifle. Historian Stephen Ambrose once described Lomell as the single individual besides Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower who was most responsible for the success of the D-Day invasion. “We owe our enduring gratitude to Bud and all of the other servicemen who fearlessly scaled those cliffs on D-Day,” said Smith, who recounted Lomell’s heroism in a speech he gave on the floor of the House of Representatives before the legislation’s passage. “As President Reagan famously put it in his speech at Pointe du Hoc, the men who invaded Normandy, including and most especially Bud Lomell, were ‘the heroes who helped end the war.’” For his bravery and bold leadership, Lomell received the Distinguished Service Cross—the second highest military decoration bestowed by the U.S. Army—as well as a rare battlefield promotion to Second Lieutenant. Lomell later received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Legion of Honor medals for his service on D-Day, as well as his heroic participation in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. 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, which Lomell received for his heroism in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, his 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.” After being honorably discharged in December of 1945, Lomell returned to Toms River and married his long-term girlfriend and public health nurse, Charlotte Ewart. 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. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Lomell was also heavily involved in numerous veterans’ organizations and groups. He served as the first director of the newly organized Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau to assist veterans with their transition to civilian life. Lomell also remained close with his fellow Rangers, who Renee refers to as her “uncles,” and was elected President of the Ranger Battalion Association of World War II in 1965. After stepping down from the Veterans Service Bureau, Lomell went to law school on the GI Bill and later founded one of Ocean County’s largest law firms. He also served as president of the Ocean County Bar Association, a director of the First National Bank of Toms River, a member of the Dover Township Board of Education, and a co-founder of the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society. “In recognition of Bud Lomell’s numerous contributions and accomplishments in both military and civilian life, he is exceedingly deserving of this posthumous honor,” said Smith. “It is only fitting that such a cutting-edge facility bears the name of a true American hero and leader—an inspiration to all.” ### Contact: |