His Star Has Turned From Blue to Gold

Sgt. Terry Lynch, 22, died Monday when a roadside bomb blew up near the vehicle he was in, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday. The explosion occurred in Wardak Province of Afghanistan.

Lynch was serving with the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He was stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., with the light infantry 10th Mountain Division.

Lynch was quoted in a July 2005 Gazette story when he and other Army recruits were sworn in by Army Gen. Peter Schoomaker.

Then 18, Lynch said it made him feel proud to take part in the Fourth of July ceremony in Cody, Wyo. He was about to leave for basic training.

"I wanted to give back to my country," he said.

Sgt. Terry Lynch joined the Army in July 2005, after graduating from Shepherd High School.

His service awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Details of Lynch's return to Montana are not yet available, according to Lt. Dan Bushnell of the Montana Army National Guard.

A funeral Mass will be held for Lynch at St. Bernard's Parish at a date to be determined later, said Shawneal French, director of Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.

Lynch is survived by his father, Charlie, and sister, Kristin.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Robyn, and brother, David.