Bud Lomell, Toms River D-Day Hero, Focus Of 2 80th Anniversary Events

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A pair of events are scheduled to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and honor the heroism of Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, who was part of the invasion June 6, 1944 that became a turning point in World War II.

On Saturday, June 1 at 11:30 a.m., the Ocean County Historical Society is hosting author Steven Gillon of the History Channel, who will give a talk on his book on Bud. The event will be held at the American Legion on Church Road. The event is free.

Mark Mutter, the Toms River township historian, will moderate a question-and-answer session following a presentation by Ocean County historian Timothy Hart and Commissioner Ginny Haines on the book, "Len Lomell: D Day Hero."

The book was written by Steven Gillon and it will be available for purchase and book signing.

On Monday, Mutter will give a presentation titled The 80th Anniversary of D-Day and Ocean County Hero Bud Lomell at the Ocean County Library's main branch in Toms River.

The event is set for 6:30 p.m.

In a PowerPoint presentation, Mutter will detail the events leading up to the assault and also focus on Bud Lomell’s life and his date with destiny.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Point Pleasant Beach, Lomell enlisted and became a seasoned Army Ranger before the land, sea and air assault on seemingly invincible enemy strongholds along France’s Normandy coast.

Lomell’s climb of the Pointe du Hoc cliffs, disabling of powerful weaponry and repelling of relentless counterattacks are recorded in numerous accounts, including The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw and Gillon’s Len Lomell: D-Day Hero, available at the Ocean County Library. He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and many other decorations.

After leaving the service, Lomell married and raised his family in Toms River, established a successful law practice, engaged in numerous civic activities and founded the World War II Rangers Association. He hired a young Mark Mutter for his law firm and became a friend and mentor.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclDDayTR for this free program.