Rev. Lawrence Lynch was an Army chaplain in World War II. Self described as God's gift to the Army, this priest was nicknamed Fr. Cyclone by the troops due to his non-stop activity.
In April 1945, the 39-year-old priest found himself in a foxhole on Iwo Jima. When a nearby soldier was mortally wounded, an officer in the foxhole ordered Lynch to stay put. But Lynch leapt out to give last rites to the dying man.
As he held the communion host and spoke the Latin words for "The body of our Lord Jesus Christ ..." a shell exploded. Shrapnel tore through the chaplain's helmet, killing him instantly.
The same officer who had ordered Lynch not to go then jumped to the dead priest's side. He pried the host from Lynch's fingers and put it in his own mouth so that it would not be desecrated.
For more on Fr. Lynch, click here.
Happy Memorial Day!
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