WWII and Korean War Vet Turns 106
By Hannah McDuffie, Public Affairs Officer
Army Veteran Tommy Gwynn feels even better today than he did six years ago when he turned 100.
“Always smile and have a good heart,” said the 106-year-old five-time Purple Heart recipient when asked his secret to longevity.
Since 2019, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and the Tullahoma community have thrown a birthday bash for the local living legend and his impressive military career. This year was no different, with dozens of community members celebrating the decorated Veteran, including Arnold Air Force Base leaders and the Mayor of Tullahoma proclaiming June 2, 2025, as Tommy Gwynn Day.
Gwynn has been a patient at TVHS for several years and transitioned into home-based primary care around 2019. Led by Dr. Ralf Habermann, the TVHS home-based primary care teams travel to the homes of geriatric patients across middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and northern Georgia to provide essential health care services. Home-based primary care, funded by VA's Office of Rural Health, aims to deliver health care to rural and highly-rural patients inside the comfort of their homes. The care teams consist of multiple health care experts ranging from nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, physical therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and psychologists, as well as a chaplaincy care, should the patient request it.
“It’s a great honor taking care of Mr. Gwynn. He’s a true American hero,” said Dr. Habermann who has cared for Gwynn over four years. “He’s an incredible man, and without home-based primary care and the [Tullahoma] community, he couldn’t have stayed home.”
Born June 2, 1919, Gwynn joined the Army in 1940. Serving in World War II and the Korean War, Gwynn fought in numerous historic battles ranging from D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Battle of Normandy, and witnessed the momentous Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) May 8, 1945, marking the end of WWII.
Five years later, Gwynn returned to the frontlines fighting in the Korean War where he fought in the Battle of Inchon. Gwynn was a prisoner of war twice escaping captivity both times and was injured 20 times serving on the battlefield.
Gwynn’s heroism resulted in a plethora of military medals including two Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, five Purple Hearts, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge Second Award, the United Nations Service Medal Korea, and many more. He also earned the Presidential Unit Citation - previously called the Distinguished Unit Citation until 1957 - which is awarded to distinguished military units that display extraordinary heroism in action against armed enemy forces on or after Dec. 7, 1941. Gwynn earned the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
“He’s still here, and it’s amazing. It’s an inspiration for our team to provide care for him,” said Dr. Habermann. “The goal of home-based primary care team is to keep patients out of nursing homes if we can. VA is the only place in the country that has this.”
Veterans interested in home-based primary care should speak with their health care team to determine if home-based care is best for them. Veterans living in rural areas seeking VA care or resources can visit VA's Office of Rural Health website. TVHS is also seeking community members to participate in VA’s medical foster home program. For more information, visit here.