Loretta Lynn’s Husband, Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, Jr, Honored At The WWII Ranger Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony

Honoring Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, Jr.

Loretta Lynn’s late husband, Oliver Lynn, was honored for his service during WWII. “Doo” served in the 5th Ranger Battalion, and his granddaughter Beth was on hand at the WWII Congressional Gold Metal Ceremony to accept the honor on his behalf.

Loretta Lynn admitted to not knowing much about his service to our nation, other than that he served in the Battalion and was deployed in France and Germany. His unit suffered many tragedies, and he was one of six men from his platoon who survived.

“Our very own Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, Jr. will be recognized later this week at the WWII Ranger Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in Washington DC. He was a WWII Ranger in E Company, 5th Ranger Battalion and will be one of the soldiers honored during the ceremony. We are so happy that his granddaughter, Beth, will attend the ceremony in his honor on behalf of the Lynn family.

We’re so proud of his service and thankful he’s being honored with this award!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Loretta Lynn (@lorettalynnofficial)

Loretta Lynn and her husband met once he was done serving. A teenage Loretta met “Doo,” who had previously been a moonshine runner, at a pie social. They got married when she was just 15 years old, and she and “Doo” had six children together. The couple had been married for 48 years when “Doo” passed away in 1996, days before his 70th birthday.

Because Loretta Lynn was married for so long she admitted that she felt like “Doo” raised her in a way, and he agreed. She noted that going from being under her father’s roof to being married to “Doo,” she always felt like she had a man telling her what to do. Although Loretta and her husband had a marriage that was filled with love, they successfully stood the test of time and raised a big family. However, Loretta Lynn was not naive to the fact that their marriage was far from perfect.

Loretta Lynn wrote in her  autobiography, Still Woman Enough:

“I married Doo when I wasn’t but a child, and he was my life from that day on. But as important as my youth and upbringing was, there’s something else that made me stick to Doo. He thought I was something special, more special than anyone else in the world, and never let me forget it. That belief would be hard to shove out the door. Doo was my security, my safety net. And just remember, I’m explainin’, not excusin’. (Still Woman Enough xvii) …

Doo was a good man and a hard worker. But he was an alcoholic, and it affected our marriage all the way through. He was also a womanizer. Cheating husbands have been all over the news talk shows for a few years now. Lots of women say they don’t understand why women stay with them dogs. My story is about one who did—me.”

Although their marriage was far from perfect, his wrongdoings helped with her success, inspiring tunes like “Fist City,” “The Pill,” “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man).”

No man is perfect, but Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, Jr. loved his family and nation. His granddaughter represented the legacy of her grandfather and grandmother well in Washington, D.C., at the WWII Ranger Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony.

“Our Dad was recognized yesterday at the WWII Ranger Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony in Washington DC. It was so special to see him honored! Thank you to everyone for recognizing the WWII Rangers and their service to our great country.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Loretta Lynn (@lorettalynnofficial)

The post Loretta Lynn’s Husband, Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, Jr, Honored At The WWII Ranger Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony first appeared on Whiskey Riff.