Colonel Leo K. Thorsness

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Leo Keith Thorsness

Birthdate:
Birthplace: Walnut Grove, Redwood County, MN, United States
Death: May 02, 2017 (85)
St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Place of Burial: 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Arlington County, VA, 22211, United States
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Managed by: Aaron Shawn Caulk
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About Colonel Leo K. Thorsness

Leo Thorsness was submitted for the Medal of Honor for heroic actions on April 19, 1967. Eleven days later on April 30 1967, he was shot down and interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam until his release on March 4, 1973.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major Leo Keith Thorsness, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing,, in action over North Vietnam on 19 April 1967. As pilot of an F- 105 aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced a surface-to-air missile site with air-to-ground missiles, and then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile site with bombs. In tile attack on the second missile site, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness' wingman was shot down by intensive anti-aircraft fire, and the two crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay their position to the Search and Rescue Center. During this maneuver, a MIG-17 was sighted in the area. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness immediately initiated an attack and destroyed the MIG. Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was forced to depart the area in search of a tanker. Upon being advised that two helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew's position and that there were hostile MlGs in the area posing a serious threat to the helicopters, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft defenses to the downed crew's position. As he approached the area, he spotted four MIG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MlGs, damaging one and driving the others away from the rescue scene. When it became apparent that an aircraft in the area was critically low on fuel and the crew would have to abandon the aircraft unless they could reach a tanker, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness, although critically short on fuel himself, helped to avert further possible loss of life and a friendly aircraft by recovering at a forward operating base, thus allowing the aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel safely. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness' extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice, and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-796, November 6, 1973

Action Date: 19-Apr-67

Service: Air Force

Rank: Major

Company: 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

Regiment: 355th Tactical Fighter Wing

Division: Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, 7th Air Force


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_K._Thorsness

Leo Keith Thorsness (February 14, 1932 – May 2, 2017) was a colonel in the United States Air Force who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal for an air engagement on April 19, 1967. He was shot down two weeks later and spent almost six years in captivity in North Vietnam as a prisoner of war. After his military service, Thorsness served one term in the Washington State Senate.

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Colonel Leo K. Thorsness's Timeline

1932
February 14, 1932
Walnut Grove, Redwood County, MN, United States
2017
May 2, 2017
Age 85
St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida, United States
2018
February 14, 2018
Age 85
Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Arlington County, VA, 22211, United States