Visiting Hours are from 6-7:30 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home and not from 5-7:30 P.M. as stated in Boston Globe
Colonel James D Tynan (Ret)
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Retired US Army Colonel James D. Tynan, age92, of Mansfield, formerly of Devon, PA. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 11 2013. He was the loving husband for 67 years of Patricia (O’Neill).
Dear Father of Timothy Tynan of Devon, PA. and Patricia Daoust and her husband Paul of Boston. Devoted “Pop” to grandchildren, Michael, Mark, Erin, Brian and Kate. He is also survived by 10 great-grand children.
Born in Hazelton, PA on June 10, 1921, he was a son of the late James Tynan and the late Ann (Gallagher) Moon.
Col Tynan’s (US Army) service to his country spanned 36 years including four tours of duty in three combat theaters: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During his distinguished career he received the Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantry Badge and Meritorious Service Medal. He was a member of the “Greatest Generation” of World War II wherein he served as a young Infantry Officer.
Jim Tynan was recognized for his valorous WW II combat service with awards of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). These storied citations were received for heroism with the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning) in the Pacific Theater of Operations where he was wounded in battle. Next in Korea, Colonel Tynan (then First Lieutenant, Military Police Corps) commanded an Infantry Company in the 25th Infantry Division.
For this unique one-of-a-kind position of distinguished service as a Military Police Officer in command of an Infantry Company, he received a second award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the second award of the Bronze Star for outstanding leadership in the conduct of several successful infantry combat missions. This assignment ended prematurely when a land mine exploded under his 1/4 ton jeep. As a result, he spent five months in a body cast recovering from serious spinal and pelvic wounds. With another award of the purple heart for wounds in combat, his superiors noted James Tynan's intrepid courage, aggressiveness and sound judgment. Colonel Tynan also served two tours in Vietnam, first in 1965 as advisor to the Provost Marshal General of the RVN and again in 1969 as commander of the 8th MP Group and Chief of the CID Division.
Throughout his long and distinguished career in numerous key Military Police assignments, Colonel Tynan significantly impacted the character, doctrine and long term mission of the Military Police Corps.
Upon retirement, Colonel Tynan successfully applied for admission to practice law before the US Court of Military Appeals. He became Director of Student Activities at the Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College in Wayne, Pennsylvania. In this position, he became significantly involved in alcohol and drug abuse suppression and prevention.
He completed course work in Polygraph Techniques and was accredited by the American Polygraph Association and licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board. He was a Pennsylvania Bar Associate and was appointed in 1995 to the Senior Lawyers Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association. As an attorney, Jim provided generous amounts of pro bono legal work in the Philadelphia area.
Colonel Tynan is a genuine role model for every member of the Military Police Corps. This highly decorated officer was admitted into the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame and also received appropriate honors and recognition by induction as the 47th member of The United States Army Military Police Hall of Fame.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 14th at 9:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt St. (Route 106) Mansfield. Private burial at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, December 13th from 6-7:30 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Village at Willow Crossings Associate Holiday Fund, 25 Cobb St., Mansfield, MA 02048 in appreciation for the warmth and loved provided to Jim.
To send the Tynan family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com