SSGT Hugh Michael Lynch, USMC
October 9, 1942 – April 15, 1969
Staff Sergeant Lynch was a member of the crew of an EC-121 surveillance aircraft, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a Korean linguist and Russian and probably Morse qualified as well since USMC routinely sent collectors to R-branch school before language school. He flew in Da Nang, Vietnam in early 1968, earning two Air Medals during a four month det.
On 15 April 1969, his US Navy VQ-1 EC-121M – call sign, Deep Sea 129 – flew a routine reconnaissance mission over the Sea of Japan. At roughly 1350 local time, while approximately 90 NM off the North Korean coast southeast of Chongjin, the plane was shot down by North Korean MiG-21 fighters. All 31 crewmen were reported missing. Hugh M. Lynch was presumed dead on May 2, 1969. His body was never recovered so this memorial is a cenotaph.
Staff Sergeant Lynch was awarded the Purple Heart, two Air Medals, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
RIP brother.
Station HYPO 
9 October 2020 at 11:41
Thanks for this post Mario. I was an R Brancher at Kamiseya where SSgt Lynch was also stationed. We were all shocked when this happened July like when the USS Pueblo was taken in Jan of that same year. Needless to say, we saw lots of activity after both incidences, still think about how close we were to another war. Thanks for posting this and we will never forget SSgt Lynch and the Navy personnel who were also on that flight.
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9 October 2020 at 14:26
Thank you Mario for another excellent and meaningful post. God bless SSGT Lynch. The Lord’s peace be with him. Valiant warriors like him are too soon forgotten, but this forum helps keep him fresh in our minds and hearts. It’s such a shame that the media ignores and forgets the sacrifice and contributions that our military makes for our country. But you Mario do not. God bless you for it.
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