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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Leader

Honored by:
Mr. David V. Kolovat

Tom Byrnes left his home town of Davenport, Iowa shortly after Pearl Harbor to join the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 20. As a master technical sergeant he flew with VMSB-151 (Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 151) in the Pacific from early 1942 until the spring of 1944, first in the rear cockpit of the SBC-4 Helldiver, and then the Douglas Dauntless SBD1 and SBD5.

He was fortunate to finish the war without serious injury and came home to raise four loving daughters in Davenport.

He's also been a deeply good-hearted stepfather to me and at age 82 is still an inspiration.