Floyd Allen Lynch
Second Lieutenant Floyd A. “Sonny” Lynch was a Marine pilot who flew with VMF-121.
He was killed in an airplane crash near Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 19 October 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-10216
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 17, 1920
at San Diego, CA
Parents
Emzy Harvey Lynch
Gwendolyn (Allen) Lynch (d. 1931)
Education
University of Arizona
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
April 29, 1941 (enlisted)
April 29, 1942 (commission)
Home Of Record
1622 North 11th Street
Phoenix, AZ
Next Of Kin
Father, Captain Emzy Lynch (USA)
Military Specialty
Pilot
Assistant Materials Officer
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Lieutenant Lynch was credited with two aerial victories in the Solomon Islands.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Floyd Lynch, a fighter pilot assigned to VMF-121, volunteered for combat duty at Guadalcanal during the Solomon Islands campaign. He arrived on the island on 25 September 1942, and was attached to VMF-224 on Special Temporary Aviation Duty (STAD). As a member of the Cactus Air Force, Lynch was credited with shooting down two Japanese aircraft.
On the morning of 19 October 1942, a handful of American fighters were scrambled in response to reports of incoming Japanese raiders. No contact was made, but Lieutenant Lynch’s Wildcat (F4F-4 #03524) was seen to fall out of the sky from 18,000 feet. It was believed that oxygen failure rendered him unconscious.
Lynch was declared dead on the day of the accident. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Captain Emzy Lynch.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Lynch was last seen in the air over Guadalcanal.
