KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The “greatest Ranger that ever was” and Tullahoma native Thomas Gwynn got to make an addition to his well-deserved collection of medals and awards as he received a challenge coin and signed letter from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary.

After celebrating his 106^th birthday back in June, Gwynn received the surprise visit from the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Thursday, Aug. 7, to his home where they presented him the VA Secretary’s Centenarian Award, which included a challenge coin and letter from VA Secretary Doug Collins. TVHS Volunteer Specialist Joshua Green presented the framed letter and coin to Gwynn, stating that the letter and coin was to honor both him celebrating his 106^th birthday and for his service during WWII and Korea, adding Gwynn’s participation and survival in D-Day on June 6, 1944 is celebrated as his second birthday.

“Our nation honors your distinguished service as an infantry ranger in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War, and the extraordinary sacrifice of your personal freedom,” Green read from the letter. “As a former prisoner of war, you were recognized with multiple awards for your extraordinary level of combat exposure and resilience.”

Gwyn would join the Army in 1940, and became an Army Ranger in April 1943. He would then take part in some of the most significant battles in WWII, including the Normandy invasion. The Battle of Normandy resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the fight began on June 6, 1944. On that day, about 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the greatly fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. By late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. Gwynn also took part in the Battle of the Bulge, which took place from Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan. 25, 1945, and was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. He made it to the Elbe River near the end of the war, and that’s where he was on May 8, 1945 – Victory in Europe Day. Though he returned state-side in November 1945, he returned to action in 1950 when he joined the fighting in Korea. There he participated in the Battle of Inchon, a fight of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations Command supporting South Korea.

Gwynn’s awards he’s received over his lifetime include: 12 Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star, the Combat Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal and the Distinguished Service Cross. He has also earned The Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, and was appointed as a chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

 “You are part of the country’s greatest generation for your legacy of patriotism and honor. Americans enjoy the blessings of peace and liberty because of Patriots like you who answered the call to defend our nation,” the letter read. “The sacrifices you have made, the accomplishments of your military career are held in the highest esteem. Thank you for sharing your story to help others understand the past and preserve it for the future. You are an inspiration to all who know you.”

After the presentation, Gwynn shared some of his military stories, as well as laughs and smiles, to the TVHS representatives, his home-based primary care team, friends and other guests. These stories included when how he was shot in the hand and how important it was to smile, which in turn made all of his guests smile.

“Just to have the ability and honor of being able to help present this award to him was very special to me,” Green said. “This is our very first Centenarian Award for a patient from Tennessee Valley or from our healthcare system in Tennessee. I wasn’t gonna miss this for sure. 

That wasn’t the only coin Gwynn would receive, as Acting Associate Director for Resources for VA TVHS Dr. Erin Coomes presented him with TVHS Executive Director’s Coin. She told him that each coin is numbered and he was the only person who now has that particular coin.

“We just wanted to say thank you for your service and we appreciate you so much,” Coomes said.

Rob Norman, a friend of Gwynn’s, took a moment to the home-based primary care team for helping to take care of Gwynn over the years.

Wrapping up the celebration, all of the guests spent some time looking at all of Gwynn’s photos, awards, gifts and other memorabilia he has received from over the years.