World War II Hero From Toms River Highlighted In New Book

TOMS RIVER, NJ — You may have seen the name on the road that links Route 166 to Indian Head Road: Lomell Lane.

If you're new to the area (or maybe a younger resident) you may not have heard of Leonard "Bud" Lomell, the World War II hero from Toms River whose actions on D-Day ensured its success and led to the defeat of the Germans.

A new book published about Lomell's life by Steven Gillon, a professor at the University of Oklahoma and a frequent commentator on "The History Channel," has set out to capture and honor Lomell's heroism and who he was as a person.

The paperback book, "Len Lomell — D-Day Hero," is 288 pages and is published by Penguin Random House.

Lomell, who died in 2011, was a highly decorated veteran who served with the Army Rangers. On D-Day, he and his platoon scaled the cliffs in Normandy on June 6, 1944, disabling five German artillery guns, saving countless lives of Allied soldiers. He received a Silver Star among other honors.

"The famed World War II historian Stephen Ambrose always said that next to Eisenhower's decision to launch the cross channel invasion, what Bud Lomell did was the most important act of guaranteeing success on D-Day," said J. Mark Mutter, the Toms River Township historian.

Mutter was one of several people Gillon reached out to, including Lomell's family members, old law partners, and friends, to learn more about him as a person and about his heroism. Mutter was a law clerk for Lomell right before he retired from his law practice, and later the two became close friends.

"I accompanied him to Normandy for three reunions, joined his Rangers Association as an honorary member, and went on several reunions here in the United States," Mutter said.

Mutter, who proofread the book, said there is a book signing with Gillon at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at the American Legion, 2025 Church Road, Toms River.

It will be open to the public.

• Read more: Bud Lomell, Local World War II Hero, Dies
• War Hero Lomell Remembered