TOMS RIVER – As the 80th year since the momentous D-Day invasion was commemorated, a local hero’s name rose to the forefront once again. Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell’s bravery hasn’t been lost to time. During a recent interview and book signing by acclaimed author Steven M. Gillon, Lomell’s legacy was celebrated anew.
Decades ago, Tom Brokaw’s “The Greatest Generation” spotlighted Lomell’s heroism, dedicating an entire chapter to his wartime exploits. Gillon’s 2003 book, “Len Lomell: D-Day Hero,” offers a deeper look into Lomell’s life and his pivotal role in the D-Day landings.
The event drew a crowd, including Lomell’s widow, Charlotte, and daughter, Renee, a retired Toms River teacher. Former colleagues from Lomell’s law practice days in Toms River also attended. Among them were his former law partner, Robert Fall, now a retired Appellate Division judge, and attorney Phillip Lucas, who fondly recalled Lomell during the 1970s.
Photos and Lomell’s uniform was on display at the presentation. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“I knew Mr. Lomell as a young attorney when we both did real estate law,” said Lucas. “I’m also here because my wife’s father was a paratrooper, who landed on D-Day on top of the action. While Mr. Lomell was climbing up the cliffs, he was falling down as a trooper into the war zone. He died a day later at a battle on a bridge.”
J. Mark Mutter moderated the question-and-answer session held at American Legion Post 129. Mutter served the township as its mayor, councilman and clerk. He also is a respected historian and frequent contributor to the Toms River Times. Mutter first met Lomell when he clerked in his law firm.
Part of a Series on American War Heroes
Considered one of the country’s top experts on American history and politics, the fact that Gillon chose to write about Lomell speaks volumes. The author’s impressive resume boasts over a dozen published books, articles in major publications, and a distinguished academic background. He’s also a familiar face on television, having appeared on major networks and hosted historical programs.
The author first met Lomell around 1997 while hosting a Sunday morning talk show on the History Channel. His producer, recognizing Lomell’s heroism, arranged for him to appear on the program with his wife, Charlotte.
“What I was struck by was the drama of the stories he was telling,” said Gillon. “And the modesty in the way he told them.”
“There was no beating of his chest; it’s almost as if he was embarrassed to talk about himself and his own heroism,” Gillon continued. “I immediately found that he was charismatic and fascinating.”
Gillon enjoyed the interview with Lomell so much that he invited him back for a second time. His interest in the local war hero’s story only deepened from there. Lomell, who had been drafted into the United States Army in 1942, served as an Army Ranger during World War II.
Jeffrey Schenker, president of the Ocean County Historical Society; author Steven M. Gillon; and host J. Mark Mutter pose for a photo. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
American historian Stephen Ambrose recognized Lomell as the single individual second only to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, most pivotal to the success of D-Day. Additionally, Lomell garnered further acclaim six months later for his contributions in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest.
When he was approached by a major publishing house about contributing to a series on American war heroes, Gillon was intrigued. The idea was to put together readable stories about heroism and the lives of the people who made a difference.
The publisher expressed specific interest in Gillon’s expertise for a book on the life and service of former President George H.W. Bush. While Gillon acknowledged that potential for a captivating story, he suggested Lomell’s history would make a great contribution to the series.
“You’ve written a lot about American presidents,” Mutter interjected. “And here you’re talking about one individual with a lot of humility. How was this book different from others?”
From the start, research for the Lomell book was entirely unlike anything else he’d done. For one of his other books, Gillon combed through the archives of seven presidential libraries to piece together a story. However, uncovering details about Lomell proved to be a completely different experience.
Gillon recalled his excitement when he found that the Library of Congress claimed to have a collection on the local war hero.
“I had a table set up for me with this box and I was so excited,” said Gillon. “I opened it up and found a bunch of newspaper clippings. I was hoping it could be more than that.”
While Gillon appreciated his prior meetings with Lomell, his passing in 2011 meant that further personal interviews were no longer possible. However, a pivotal moment in Gillon’s research occurred after a meeting arranged by Renee, which included Mutter and Fall. In a subsequent interview with Renee, she provided Gillon with what he described as the “gold mine” for the story.
Lomell’s uniform was on display at the presentation. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“She went into a back room and came out with a black binder,” Gillon shared. “It was a 186-page letter that Mr. Lomell had written to his grandchildren on his 80th birthday when they were on a trip around the world in 1980.”
The letter didn’t recount Lomell’s World War II achievements but rather offered insights into his upbringing, family life, and post-war endeavors. Gillon conducted interviews with Lomell’s grandchildren to understand his personality better. He noted that a significant portion of the book was derived from rewording sections of that letter.
One of the premier things to come from Lomell’s own words was his commitment to instilling values, rather than just knowledge, in his descendants. These values – courage, loyalty, decency, and respect – shaped Lomell’s life and the lessons he passed on to his grandchildren. Gillon also learned about Lomell’s character through anecdotes from those who knew him well.
“George H.W. Bush would have been a lot easier to write about because of all the newspaper clippings,” submitted Gillon. “This, you had to uncover somebody. And more than any other book, I needed the support of the family. And that’s what allowed me to write this book.”
In the blurb introducing Gillon’s book, Lomell is credited with almost single-handedly knocking out the big German guns before they could fire on the American invasion force on D-Day. The details of that day and Lomell’s other heroic actions are described, as well as his various medal awards.
Leonard “Bud” Lomell’s widow, Charlotte, and daughter, Renee, listen to a presentation honoring the WWII hero. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Shared Accolades
The selection of American Legion Post 129 as the venue for Gillon’s presentation made perfect sense. Post Commander Ralph Moranz said that Lomell had been a member there, and described him as a “good friend, a neighbor, a true gentleman, and a local hero.”
Ocean County Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines recalled meeting Lomell and referred to him as an “astonishing individual” and someone she always looked up to. Haines presented Gillon with a certificate on behalf of Ocean County expressing gratitude for his book. She recalled how overtaken she was when she visited Normandy.
Jeffrey Schenker, president of the Ocean County Historical Society shared details of his attendance at the 79th anniversary ceremony of D-Day commemoration at the American Cemetery in Normandy last year.
“As you walk the 172 acres of neatly manicured row after row of crosses and Jewish stars, you cannot help but reflect on the lives lost and the sacrifices made by all of our World War II veterans,” said Schenker. “Or, as Tom Brokaw referred to them as the greatest generation.”
Tim Hart, Division Director of the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission, emphasized the significance of preserving the memory of local heroes. He has dedicated himself to ensuring that younger generations are acquainted with well-known figures as well as the unsung heroes who have contributed to our world and community.
“I remember President Clinton for the 50th anniversary (of D-Day) saying we are the children of your sacrifice – of the greatest generation,” said Mutter. “And Tim was right. We have an obligation to share their stories.”
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