TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WTVF) — A local war hero turned 103-years-old so his home healthcare team at the VA threw him a birthday party.
Army Ranger Tommy Gwynn was a prisoner of war twice, and escaped captivity.
“I don’t want no praise, but the Holy Spirit did it, and my body,” Gwynn said.
He said God saved him multiple times in Korea and during World War II. He’s a 12-time purple heart recipient and has been awarded a plethora of medals.
Through the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System’s home-based primary care and geriatrics program, nurses and doctors developed a close relationship with Tommy.
“He was 12 times severely wounded and still went back into the fight,” Dr. Ralf Habermann said.
Out of all his accolades, Tommy even has a song about him called the “Devil Don’t Want Me” by John Sever.
“Highlight of my career meeting you,” Sever said.
Tommy doesn’t have much family left in the area, so the community and church members have stepped in to fill that role.”
“Well he’s one of a kind individual,” Jerry Seale said. “He’s outlived a bunch of folks.”
Jerry and Sandra Seale from First Baptist Church in Tullahoma check on Tommy frequently.
“He’s a remarkable individual,” Seale said.
After many laughs and birthday cake, Tommy made sure to tell his friends that he’s “the best ranger there ever was.”
He also received the Legion of Honor award which is the highest French order of merit for the military. It was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.