On Friday—just in time for Charlotte Ewart Lomell’s 104^th birthday—President Donald Trump signed a new law naming the Veterans’ Clinic in Toms River after her late husband, celebrated local WWII hero Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. 

                “One of the most decorated Army Rangers of World War II, Bud Lomell served our nation and its veterans with enduring courage and selflessness, and is exceedingly deserving of this posthumous honor,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the former Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, who wrote the legislation designating the naming of the clinic after Bud.

                “I am grateful that President Trump has recognized Bud’s heroism by signing this bill into law, and I am thrilled that Charlotte, who turns 104 on Monday, gets to see Bud’s many achievements memorialized in this special way—just in time for her birthday.”

                Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, an Army Ranger, has been routinely cited as one of the leading heroes of WW II.  In fact, 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.”

                The Toms River clinic, which will now officially be named for Bud, was opened late last year and designed to serve the growing veteran population in Ocean County. The new facility provides primary care as well as specialty care, including dental care, women's health care, mental health counseling, physical therapy, and laboratory services.

                “This clinic, which has already done so much for the veterans of Ocean County and beyond, will be a lasting testament to Bud’s life of service on behalf of his country, community, and fellow veterans,” said Smith.

                At the outbreak of World War II, Bud Lomell enlisted in the Army and joined the newly-formed Army Rangers, becoming the First Sergeant of D Company. During the invasion of Normandy, Lomell and his Rangers were charged with 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, could fire on multiple beaches along the coast, and greatly jeopardized the success of the entire invasion.

                Lomell, upon scaling the cliffs, found the guns disguised in a nearby orchard and used thermite grenades to disable them, breaking the sights with the butt of his rifle. He would later receive the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military decoration bestowed by the U.S. Army for his “bold and outstanding leadership.”

                Lomell’s medal citation for the Distinguished Service Cross reads in part: “[Lomell] 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.”

                After successfully completing his mission on D-Day, Lomell served in a number of pivotal battles, including the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, for which he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Legion of Honor medals.

                Lomell’s Silver Star medal citation reads in part: “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.”

                In December of 1945, Bud Lomell returned to civilian life and married Charlotte Ewart, a public health nurse, and had three daughters, Georgine, Pauline, and Renee. Immediately after discharge, he became the first director of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, where he supported his fellow veterans as they transitioned out of military service. He remained in touch with this fellow Rangers and was elected President of the Ranger Battalion Association of World War II in 1965.

                Following his resignation from the Veterans Service Bureau, Lomell founded one of Ocean County’s largest law firms and served in numerous civic organizations, including the First National Bank of Toms River, the Dover Township Board of Education, and the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society.

                “Bud’s many achievements and contributions to both military and civic life serve as an inspiration to us all,” said Smith.  “While we cannot repay Bud and his fellow Rangers for the sacrifices they made to ensure our freedom, I hope to ensure that his legacy lives on with the naming of this clinic.”

                The Bud Lomell clinic is a next-gen, state-of-the-art version of the VA clinic that Smith helped to establish in Brick Township in 1991. After writing legislation that passed the House of Representatives on three separate occasions, Smith secured the much-needed clinic, which served veterans from Ocean and Monmouth counties for over two decades until it outgrew its capacity. In 2003, Smith convinced VA Secretary Anthony Principi to open a new VA clinic in Fort Monmouth to help alleviate the excess capacity, and in 2014, Smith was part of a leadership team to require the VA to authorize new leases for clinics, which ultimately led to the new clinic in Toms River. 

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