Wayne resident John T. Lynch, a decorated bomber pilot from World War II who returned home to become a lawyer, has died at 96, writes Bonnie Cook for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

A native Midwesterner, Lynch moved to Newtown Square in 1971. He had lived in Wayne since 2011.

Lynch graduated from high school in 1942 and received a scholarship to Northwestern. However, he put school on hold to enter Army flight school.

In March 1943, he entered World War II as a B-17 bomber pilot and continued to serve until November 1945. He flew 39 combat missions over Europe and Italy, and for his efforts, he was recognized with the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

After the war, he completed his education and went on to earn a law degree from Indiana University. He first worked as counsel for the New York Central Railroad, before representing Penn Central and then Conrail. He retired six years ago.

The National Bar Association and members of the NAACP honored Lynch for his efforts to hire Black attorneys.

Read more about John T. Lynch in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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