By Charlie Russo Staff Writer
Not much grows in the deserts of the Middle East. But because of the planning of Army Lt. Col. Michael R. Lynch, which began in Kuwait in November 2001, bases sprang up to support American troops during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
For his efforts, the Andover native was awarded the Bronze Star medal for "exceptionally meritorious achievement" in Iraq on May 2. He returned home to Naperville, Ill. yesterday.
"It's an individual award but it's a group effort. There will be others recognized," Lynch, 42, said in an interview yesterday. "Everybody contributed to make sure the maneuver forces could do their jobs. We worked hard, but the grunts had to do the fighting."
As an engineering officer charged with operations planning, Lynch literally helped lay the groundwork for the U.S. military successes in Afghanistan and Iraq. Bronze Star medals can only be awarded in wartime.
"Lt. Col. Lynch displayed outstanding operational planning skill, leadership, and extraordinary dedication that resulted in major contributions and successes ... during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom," wrote Col. Gerald W. Fontenot in a letter nominating Lynch for the medal.
"There was a small group that went in November 2001," Lynch said. "We went in with a small group that did all the planning that enabled the operation to go smoothly, in terms of engineering. My focus was on engineering."
In simple terms, Lynch said, Army engineers fall into two categories: construction engineers and destruction engineers. Lynch said he is more a construction engineer.
"My job is typically to ensure maneuver forces are well supported," he said. "We designed and built the facilities for people to sleep, eat, go to the bathroom, park a bunch of helicopters. That's what we support, we build things. We have to spring a lot of things out of the desert for rapid growth."
Lynch, a 1979 graduate of Andover High School who will celebrate 20 years of service in the Army later this month, was also involved in the capture and control of the Tallil Airbase near Nasiriyah, Iraq, Fontenot wrote.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star on Feb. 4, 1944, retroactive to Dec. 6, 1941. President Kennedy then modified the requirements to include service with friendly forces in August 1962.
The Bronze Star medal can be awarded to any member of the armed forces. Recipients must distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, not involving aerial flight.
The Bronze Star ranks 15th in order of precedence on a list of 31 U.S. military decorations, according to the Army. Since World War II, 1,176,241 Bronze Star medals have been awarded. In Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, 1,224 Bronze Star medals were awarded. Updated totals for Operation Iraqi Freedom have not been calculated.
"You just do your job and when your commander recognizes what you've done, they have certain abilities to award at various levels," Lynch said. But for Lynch, when he received the award from Maj. Gen. Robert L. Heine, his mind was on other things.
"At that moment it was, 'Hey it's almost over for me,'" Lynch said. "It was in recognition that I was at the end of my tour. It was his way of expressing his thanks."
"We're very proud of him," said Lynch's mother, Jean, who now lives with her husband, Joseph Sr., in Hampton, N.H. "Michael is a quiet man and he doesn't blow his own horn. I was surprised he even told me. He does not talk about his work. It is quite an honor. We didn't realize how important a job he had."
"There will probably be a lot of these awarded, when there are that many soldiers there," Lynch said. "It's just a matter of time before they come out. I'm just one of the earlier guys to come out."
Andover director of Veteran Services John Doherty, a Vietnam veteran, said he would like to recognize Lynch on Memorial Day -- ideally in person.
"Any medal is significant because it shows a job well done," Doherty said. "This one was done under tough circumstances. The citation shows he is obviously an excellent planner and logistician."
Lynch, his wife, Peggy, and sons, Hayden and Tristan, could soon move closer to home. His next command posting will be at the Reserve Forces Training Center at Fort Devens in Ayer.