Allen J. Lynch. Photo courtesy of the Medal of Honor Project

“Don’t stop growing — keep learning. Read,” he says. “Exercise your brain and body. Be uncomfortable — sometimes it helps you to grow. Ask how you can contribute now.”

Those were life lessons shared by Lynch, a Gurnee resident and recipient of the U.S. military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, speaking at a dinner last week in Montgomery.

He was keynote speaker at the Aurora Navy League Council 247’s monthly meeting at Grandma’s Table restaurant.

During after-dinner remarks, Lynch did not mention the incident that earned him the Medal of Honor.

When asked about it by an audience member, Lynch said, “It’s like reliving the worst day of your life.”

Lynch opened his presentation by reflecting on being bullied in grade school and high school. The abuse didn’t let up, he said, until he stepped in to defend a female classmate at Thornridge High School.

The retired Army sergeant, who enlisted in 1964, was honored for heroism in the Vietnam War.

Lynch earned his Medal of Honor for heroism exhibited as he rescued three wounded soldiers and stayed behind to protect them while the rest of his company withdrew. He single-handedly defended the wounded men against enemy attack until friendly forces arrived and evacuated them.

Later promoted to sergeant, Lynch was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon in 1970.

Lynch served with Company D, 1st Battalion of the 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) from May 31, 1967, to June 1, 1968. He has spent his entire life serving his fellow veterans with the Federal Veterans Administration, as well as the Illinois state government veterans department. He also served with the U.S. Army Reserve and the Illinois National Guard until reaching mandatory retirement in 1994.

Lynch continues to help others through the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation. It provides stop-gap funding to help veterans continuing the recovery or education process.

Lynch and his wife, Susan, have three children and six grandchildren.

The Navy League, including the Aurora Council which serves Fox Valley veterans and friends, is a civilian organization founded by President Teddy Roosevelt to support the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and Sea Cadets.