The Toms River Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic has been officially named after World War II hero Second Lieutenant Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. The designation follows legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith and signed into law by former President Donald Trump last fall.
A ceremony to mark the naming was held inside the Toms River Veterans’ Clinic, attended by lawmakers, veterans, local officials, and members of the Lomell family. The act of Congress directs that the facility be known as the Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell VA Clinic.
At the event, Smith said the naming recognizes Lomell as “one of the bravest and most highly decorated combat soldiers of World War II,” and ensures that his legacy of military service and advocacy for veterans will endure.
Renee Lomell spoke on behalf of her family and her mother, Charlotte Ewart Lomell, who is 104 years old and attended the ceremony. She thanked Smith for his long-standing work on behalf of veterans in Ocean and Monmouth counties and for his persistence in securing both the original Brick Township clinic and the new Toms River facility. She added that her father would have appreciated the clinic’s wide range of services, including care for post-traumatic stress disorder and women’s health.
Other attendees included former Toms River Township Clerk and Historian J. Mark Mutter and former Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, who led efforts to name the clinic after Lomell. Mutter stated that the building now serves as a reminder of Lomell’s role in shaping history and defending democratic values.
During a floor speech introducing H.R. 2170, Smith described Lomell’s actions on D-Day as a U.S. Army Ranger tasked with scaling cliffs at Pointe du Hoc to destroy German artillery threatening Allied forces. Despite heavy casualties, Lomell’s unit destroyed concealed guns using thermite grenades before he went on to fight in other major battles such as Hürtgen Forest and Bulge.
Lomell received several honors for his service: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and Legion of Honor.
After returning from war, Lomell married Charlotte Ewart in Toms River where they raised three daughters. He became director of Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau—helping other veterans transition to civilian life—and later served as president of Ranger Battalion Association WWII; he also founded one of Ocean County’s largest law firms.
The ceremony also honored WWII Army Ranger veteran PFC John Wardell—a 100-year-old Point Pleasant resident who served alongside Lomell—who was awarded Congressional Gold Medal this June representing all WWII Army Ranger veterans.
The new 68,000-square-foot clinic offers primary/specialty care including dental services; women’s health care; mental health counseling; physical therapy; laboratory services—replacing an earlier Brick Township clinic established in 1991 which outgrew its capacity over time due to rising demand from area veterans.
Smith has represented New Jersey’s 4th district since 1981 after replacing Frank Thompson (source). Born in Rahway in 1953 (source), he currently lives in Manchester Township (source).