A ceremony was held Sept. 24 to dedicate a plaque on the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge and to celebrate the bridge’s official renaming.

As a special tribute, it honors the memory of World War II flying ace Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch, formerly of Catasauqua.

Lynch was a decorated pilot, with 20 confirmed aerial victories. His service decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, three letters of commendation, an air medal, a Purple Heart and a Silver Star.

Lynch, a member of the U.S. Army Air Forces, was 27 when he died in combat in the South Pacific March 8, 1944.

“We are privileged to name this bridge in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Lynch, an outstanding individual; an individual who gave his life to ensure our liberty and freedom, and forevermore, his heroic story will live on,” Phillips Armstrong, Lehigh County executive, said during the ceremony.

On hand for the dedication were family members, friends and interested parties to mark the celebration of a decorated war hero.

Family member Danny Lynch noted the whole family is proud of the memorial, and he “hopes everyone who travels this bridge will understand his sacrifice.”

Also present was retired Lt. Col. Frank Scattene, an active advocate for memorializing the bridge to honor Lynch.

“A loss of a family member overseas is tough on a family,” Scattene said. “That is why we pushed for this memorial.”

Lynch was an Eagle Scout who graduated from Catasauqua High School, then the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in chemical engineering. He was an undefeated amateur boxer.

As the gathering was about to disperse, someone looking at the beautiful plaque was overheard saying, “He was a handsome man.”

“He was an All-American kid,” Jeanne Lindquist, Lynch’s niece, said.