Before Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade 2026; Interview with Allen James Lynch, Medal of Honor Recipient, Memorial Day 2026 in Arlington Heights YouTube Tips ⓘ
Medal of Honor recipient Allen James Lynch had a message on Memorial Day regarding honoring veterans who lost their lives while serving the military: “We need to learn how to live a life worth of their sacrifice.”
We, as citizens and elected officials, need to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of liberty as United States forefathers did.
“Sacred honor” refers to a moral commitment of ultimate integrity, where a person values their ethical reputation, trustworthiness, and duty so deeply that they are willing to risk everything—including their life and livelihood—to uphold it, and is mentioned in the concluding sentence of the 1776 Declaration of Independence: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
Selfishness is the main factor that interferes with sacred honor, according to Allen J. Lynch.
Social media is large part of the problem related to selfishness. Truth is something you might have to dig for, but social media is filled with people that provoke and lie to get another hit or another follower.
According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, “Sgt. Lynch (then Sp4c.) distinguished himself while serving as a radio telephone operator with Company D. While serving in the forward element on an operation near the village of My An, his unit became heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force. Quickly and accurately assessing the situation, Sgt. Lynch provided his commander with information which subsequently proved essential to the unit’s successful actions. Observing three wounded comrades lying exposed to enemy fire, Sgt. Lynch dashed across 50 meters of open ground through a withering hail of enemy fire to administer aid. Reconnoitering a nearby trench for a covered position to protect the wounded from intense hostile fire, he killed two enemy soldiers at point-blank range. With the trench cleared, he unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area three times to carry the wounded men to safety. When his company was forced to withdraw by the superior firepower of the enemy, Sgt. Lynch remained to aid his comrades at the risk of his life rather than abandon them. Alone, he defended his isolated position for two hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing five. Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain five times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area. Once he had assured their comfort and safety, Sgt. Lynch located the counterattacking friendly company to assist in directing the attack and evacuating the three casualties. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in the highest traditions of the military service. Sgt. Lynch has reflected great credit on himself, the 12th Cavalry, and the U.S. Army.” Specifically the 1st Cavalry Division.
The heroic action took place near My An, Binh Dinh Province in then South Vietnam.
In Binh Dinh Province during the early morning hours of December 14, 1967, an outpost manned by a South Vietnamese Popular Force company was overrun by an enemy company. At first light US and South Vietnamese reinforcements were moved into the area and fighting continued throughout the day. The enemy force withdrew at dusk. Allied losses were 21 killed (three US) and 22 wounded (ten US). Enemy losses were put at 55 dead, according to a report released on December 15, 1967.
BIOGRAPHY
Zero to Hero: From Bullied Kid to Warrior Hardcover – March 13, 2019
by Allen J. Lynch (Author), Richard Ernsberger Jr.
Binh Dinh province was incorporated into Gia Lai province June 12, 2025. Gia Lai province is located about 100 miles south of Da Nang. The area in unified Vietnam includes the coast of the South China Sea in eastern Vietnam.
Gia Lai Province …
SEE ALSO …
Congressional Medal of Honor Society Stories of Sacrifice: Allen James Lynch
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