Recently, I profiled Medal of Honor recipient SGT John Baca (USA), noting that two other soldiers in his Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, had previously earned Medals of Honor.

Those soldiers are SGT Allen J. Lynch and SGT Rodney J. Evans.

Allen is a native of the Lake Eliza area in Indiana. He joined the Army right out of high school in 1964 and spent two years with a unit in Germany before volunteering for service in Vietnam. Deployed in 1966, he served as a rifleman before being assigned as his platoon’s radiotelephone operator.

It was during a firefight on 15 December 1967 that he would distinguish himself in service to his fellow soldiers.

According to his Medal of Honor citation:

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 citation concludes: “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.”

You can listen to him tell about the events that day here:

After leaving active duty, Allen settled in Gurnee, Illinois, where he worked for the Veterans Administration, specifically advocating for disabled veterans. He then served as chief of the Veterans Rights Bureau for the Illinois Attorney General’s Office until his retirement.

Additionally, he established the A.J. Lynch Foundation to support fellow Veterans who need financial assistance and help moving their lives forward after the military. He also served as the liaison for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Allen and his wife, Susan, have three children and are now blessed with four grandchildren.

The second Medal of Honor recipient in Company D was SGT Rodney J. Evans, who received the award posthumously after being killed in action on 18 July 1969.

Rod was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and grew up with his adoptive family in Florala, Alabama. Like Allen, he joined the Army right out of high school. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara, before being deployed to Vietnam for his first tour. When he returned, he was stationed at Fort Rucker near his hometown. Tragically, in September 1968, after he separated from the Army, Barbara died in a car accident.

Rod then reenlisted and, a year later, received orders for his second tour in Vietnam. However, his family, concerned that he was severely depressed, petitioned to have him returned home. His congressional legislator had completed papers for him to return to his family, but a week later, Rodney would be killed in action while protecting his squad.

According to his Medal of Honor citation:

Sgt. Evans distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while serving as a squad leader in a reconnaissance sweep through heavy vegetation to reconnoiter a strong enemy position. As the force approached a well-defined trail, the platoon scout warned that the trail was booby-trapped. Sgt. Evans led his squad on a route parallel to the trail. The force had started to move forward when a nearby squad was hit by the blast of a concealed mine.

Looking to his right Sgt. Evans saw a second enemy device. With complete disregard for his safety he shouted a warning to his men, dived to the ground, and crawled toward the mine. Just as he reached it an enemy soldier detonated the explosive and Sgt. Evans absorbed the full impact with his body. His gallant and selfless action saved his comrades from probable death or injury and served as an inspiration to his entire unit.

His citation concludes, “Sgt. Evans’ gallantry in action at the cost of his life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.”

At a Memorial Day service dedicating the SGT Rodney Evans Memorial Highway near Andalusia, Alabama, COL Ben Bowden shared these observations from two of Rodney’s fellow Company D soldiers: “In 2019, a ceremony was held in Florala to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of SGT Evans’ death. We were so fortunate that day to have two members of his patrol that were with SGT Evans the day he died and who credit his sacrifice with saving their lives.”

According to SGT Basil Clark: “As long as we live in someone’s memories, we are still alive. Under the given circumstances of July 18th, 1969, had Rodney not jumped on the mine, most likely he would have died anyway, but so ALSO would have Gary DeRigne and some others. It was Rodney’s heroic actions that blessed our Brother Gary with another 53 years of life. Did Rodney have a Premonition? While fixing what turned out to be the last C-Ration he ate, Pork Slices, which he liked, Rodney said, ‘A man should enjoy his last meal.’ I miss you, Rodney, and you truly live on in our hearts and minds.”

According to SSG Gary DeRigne, who was 20 feet from Rod when he perished: “I knew Rod Evans very well, and our friendship had the closeness that I believe can only be developed in combat. We shared many life stories from before the war, and I know that Rod was very proud of his hometown, Florala, Alabama. Rod was a fine young man who had already suffered great sadness in his life from the death of his wife in a car accident only months before he died. I clearly owe the last 53 years of my life to Rod’s heroic sacrifice in 1969, and even now, not a day goes by that I don’t think about him, and give thanks for what he did.”

SGT Allen Lynch and SGT Rodney Evans: These were ordinary men faced with extraordinary circumstances, who summoned the greatest measure of courage to place their lives in imminent peril to save others. Their example of valor — humble American Patriots defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty — is eternal.

“Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Live your life worthy of their sacrifice.

(Read more Profiles of Valor here.)

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776

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