San Francisco Public Library

Zero to hero, from bullied kid to warrior, Allen J. Lynch, Medal of Honor recipient, with Richard Ernsberger, Jr. ; introduction by Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired)

eng

autobiography

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Zero to hero

1064723551

Allen J. Lynch, Medal of Honor recipient, with Richard Ernsberger, Jr. ; introduction by Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired)

from bullied kid to warrior

The author recounts his life experiences, from growing up on Chicago's South Side and living through several years of intense bullying, to his Army service in Vietnam and his acts that earned the Medal of Honor, to his life after military service and grappling with PTSD"This is the life story of Al Lynch in his own words--an American hero who is now one of only 72 living Medal of Honor recipients. This is the story of a happy boy growing up in Chicagoland's South Side industrial neighborhoods. His early happiness was almost eradicated by several years of intense bullying, though he found ways to overcome that experience. This is the story of an aimless young man whose prospects of following in his father's footsteps as a blue-collar tradesman were cut short by the Vietnam War and by his personal search for something greater than himself. This is the story of a man whose meandering military career, and his life up to that point, came into sharp focus when, in a deadly firefight in Vietnam, he rushed to rescue three wounded troopers in no man's land. He was urged to leave the wounded and return to a safe position. But Lynch refused to retreat in order to stay with his troopers, despite having every reason to believe he would die that afternoon. Because of these actions he is a hero. This is also the story of the many troubling consequences of surviving battles while others died, sometimes tragically due to friendly fire or the random violence of an aimless war. This is the story of a man whose sense of honesty and independence has been honed over a lifetime of mistakes and victories toward always doing the right thing, no matter the cost. And this is the story of a man who learned that independence can be a selfish burden, and that life is not only about helping others, but allowing others to help him. So this is a story of a man who overcame the dragons of PTSD with the help of his family and friends, and by being honest with himself. Al Lynch has written a story that speaks to all of us--one doesn't have to be a war hero to be wounded by life. By the writing of Zero to Hero, Al shows us the stuff of which heroes are made."--Dust jacket

Introduction / by Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired) -- Preface: The meaning of a medal -- My test time -- Stalwart parents -- Good times in Roseland -- Eli's trailer camp -- Lake Eliza: growing up bullied -- Better days: high school and work -- In the army now -- Duty and boredom in Germany -- Going to war in Vietnam -- First combat -- Album: A hero's life -- Moment of truth at Tam Quan -- Coming home -- My family and my PTSD -- Path to recovery -- Career and change -- Epilogue