HONOURS: THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

Private Thomas T. "Turner" Flynn grew up in a rural outpost called Station Camp, just outside Irvine, KY. The 1930 U.S. Census listed the family's address as simply, "Dirt Road." Charles and Laura Flynn raised nine children there: five boys and four girls. Turner served in the 157th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division. On July 5, 1944, his unit was tasked with taking Beaucoudray, a key crossroads town in the Cotentin Peninsula. Over "six bloody days," the 157th suffered 851 casulties, including 166 dead. One of those dead soldiers was Turner Flynn. For his heroism that day, Turner was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award in the U.S. Army. His brother, Ray Flynn, serving in the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, was killed in March 1945, breaking out of the bridgehead at Remagen. Turner and Ray Flynn are buried today, side by side, at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.

(from Brothers in Arms Project http://www.brothersinarmsbook.com/)

Thomas T. Flynn

HOME OF RECORD:

Estill County, Kentucky

Distinguished Service Cross

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS

DURING World War II

Service: Army

Division: 90th Infantry Division

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 71 (1944)

CITATION:

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Thomas T. Flynn, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 5 July 1944. Private Flynn's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 90th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

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ETO Burial Returns (095-650218_Box_237_Folder_6c, Line 26 13/07/1944) records that Thomas (35873557) was buried in the temporary American cemetery at Brookwood, Surrey, England in plot U.8.19. Presumably, when this cemetery was exhumed, he was reburied in France.

Contributor: T Spierling (49559820)

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