Medal of Honor: John F. Thorson, World War II, October 28, 1944

Name: John F. Thorson
Rank: Private First Class
War: World War II
Date of Action: October 28, 1944
Unit: Company G, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Born: May 10, 1919 – Armstrong, Iowa
Entered Service At: Armstrong, Iowa

Summary of Action

In the fierce jungle fighting near Dagami on the island of Leyte, Pfc. John Thorson’s platoon was pinned down by a fortified Japanese strongpoint — a maze of pillboxes and trenches that halted the advance. Moving ahead of his men, Thorson charged the enemy position alone, pouring fire into the trench until he was struck and fell just yards from his target.

As his platoon reached him, a Japanese soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Without hesitation, Thorson shouted a warning and rolled onto the grenade, absorbing the full force of the blast with his body. He was killed instantly — but his selfless act saved the lives of every man around him.

Medal of Honor Citation

THORSON, JOHN F.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 28 October 1944. Entered service at: Armstrong, Iowa. Birth: Armstrong, Iowa. G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945.
Citation: He was an automatic rifleman on 28 October 1944, in the attack on Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands. A heavily fortified enemy position consisting of pillboxes and supporting trenches held up the advance of his company. His platoon was ordered to outflank and neutralize the strongpoint. Voluntarily moving well out in front of his group, Pvt. Thorson came upon an enemy fire trench defended by several hostile riflemen and, disregarding the intense fire directed at him, attacked single-handed. He was seriously wounded and fell about 6 yards from the trench. Just as the remaining 20 members of the platoon reached him, one of the enemy threw a grenade into their midst. Shouting a warning and making a final effort, Pvt. Thorson rolled onto the grenade and smothered the explosion with his body. He was instantly killed, but his magnificent courage and supreme self-sacrifice prevented the injury and possible death of his comrades, and remain with them as a lasting inspiration.