Leo K. Thorsness
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| Leo K. Thorsness | |
|---|---|
| born February 14, 1932 | |
  Medal of Honor recipient, Lieutenant Colonel Leo K. Thorsness |
|
| Place of birth | Walnut Grove, Minnesota |
| Allegiance | USAF |
| Years of service | 1950-1973 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (6) Purple Heart (2) |
| Other work | Senator, Washington State |
Leo K. Thorsness (born February 14, 1932) is a decorated [United States Military veteran and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in the Vietnam War, for an action on April 19, 1966. His aircraft was shot down two weeks later, and he spent six years in captivity as a prisoner of war.
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[edit] Early career
Thorsness was born in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 19, because his brother was then serving in Korea. He received his Bachelors degree from the University of Omaha, and his Masters from the University of Southern California, and completed training as a fighter pilot. In 1966, he was deployed to Vietnam flying F-105s in the "Wild Weasel" role, tasked with locating and destroying enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites. On April 19, Thorsness was on a missile suppression mission when he performed the actions for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
[edit] Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to
LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEO K. THORSNESS
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
for service as set forth in the following citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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 the attack on the second missile site, Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness’ wingman was shot down by intensive antiaircraft 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 MIGs 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 MIGs, 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 U.S. Air Force.
[edit] POW
Two weeks later, on his 93rd mission (three shy of completing his tour), Thorsness was shot down over North Vietnam. He and his backseater, Capt. Harold Johnson ejected and were captured. His uncooperativeness earned him a year in solitary and severe back injuries under torture. The Medal of Honor was awarded by the United States Congress during his captivity but not announced until his release in 1973 to prevent the Vietnamese from using it against Thorsness.
In 1974, he made an unsuccessful race as the Republican nominee for United States Senate against the incumbent Democrat, Senator George S. McGovern. In 1978, Thorsness was the Republican nominee for the United States House of Representatives in a race for an open seat in the First District of South Dakota. Democratic nominee Tom Daschle won the Congressional race by a margin of 139 votes, following a recount, out of more than 129,000 votes cast.
[edit] References
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