(TULLAHOMA, TN) As you know, WGNS is honoring veterans on the air and on this e-news site. Becci Bookner, the flag waving founder of Family Staffing Solutions, came across a wonderful story. Thomas Gwynn is a veteran of World War II, the Battle of Normandy, and the Korean War.
On June 2, 2021, Army Ranger Thomas Gwynn celebrated his 102nd birthday!
Bookner said, “His story of service and valor is amazing and one to be told. I met Tommy two years ago on his 100th birthday along with two other veterans who, at that time, also turned 100 in 2019.”
Tommy resides in his own home in Tullahoma with the help of a good friend, Rob Norman, who has assisted him over the years. They are truly best of friends. Rob is a financial advisor at First Bank.
Special Birthday Party Sunday
A party honoring Tommy on his 102nd birthday is taking place this Sunday (6/6/2021) from 1:00 to 3:00PM at First Baptist Church in Tullahoma, 108 E. Grundy St..
Gwynn became an Army Ranger in April of 1943, after joining the Armed Forces in 1940. He was sent to England and has took part in some of the most significant battles, including the Normandy Invasion.
Army Ranger Gwynn also took part in the Battle of the Bulge, which took place from Dec, 1944 to Jan, 1945…a major German offensive campaign during World War II.
He made it to the end of the war on May 8, 1945 - Victory in Europe Day. He returned to the United States in November of 1945.
Before his return home, he was advised to prepare for the invasion of Japan, which never occurred. Japan surrendered on Aug 15, 1945 …but his stay from the battlefields didn’t last too long.
So, in 1950, he accompanied the fighting in Korea. There Gwynn participated in the Battle of Inchon, a fight of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor or the United Nations Command supporting South Korea.
While serving in Korea, Army Ranger Gwynn was captured twice, but the enemy forces failed to keep him locked. Gwynn escaped both times. Korean soldiers attempted to hang him with his military belt. The buckle on Gwynn’s belt proved to be a problem for the Korean soldiers to figure out. They left him hanging, but Gwynn was able to work himself out of it and escaped.
When he was in captivity the second time, “They put a bayonet up left side of his nose and hit me on the back of the head with the butt of a gun.” “I have scars to prove it.”
With and for his bravery, Army Ranger Gwynn has earned multiple awards including:
- Purple Hearts (12)
- The Silver Star
- Presidential Unit Citation
- The Bronze Star
- The Combat Badge
- Prisoner of War Metals (3)
- Distinguished Service Cross
He earned the Legion of Honor, which is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
In 2012, Gwynn received a letter from French President Francois Hollande, informing Gwynn he was appointed a “Chevalier” of the Legion of Honor. The French President expressed his gratitude for Gwynn’s contribution in the liberation of France from German occupation. As an American veteran who participated in D-Day, in the 1944 campaigns to liberate France, Gwynn was eligible for the award.
Honors Continue
Tommy most recent honor is from Nashville based “Operation Song”. This wonderful organization empowers veterans, active-duty military members and their families to tell their stories through the process of songwriting.
They share the stories of our wonderful military men and women through music. They tell their stories through the process of songwriting. Those that Operation Song serves need no musical or writing skills….only a willingness to share their stories and with the help of a professional songwriter, transforms them into song.
“The Devil Don’t Want Me Now” is the song written for Tommy Gwynn with the help of Mike Byer and written and performed by Jason Sever.
Tommy received this wonderful gift to tell his story from Mike Byer at “Operation Song’. He, along with Tommy and Rob’s assistance helped to make this happen with a local artist. For more information, please contact www.operationsong.org
Thank you Army Ranger Thomas Gwynn for your service to our country, and HAPPY 102nd BIRTHDAY!
