Medal of Honor: Leo K. Thorsness – Vietnam War – April 19, 1967

Name: Leo K. Thorsness
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel (then Major)
Branch: U.S. Air Force
War: Vietnam War
Unit: 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Date of Action: April 19, 1967
Location: Over North Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 19 April 1967, Major Leo K. Thorsness distinguished himself while flying an F-105 Thunderchief on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam.

Thorsness and his wingman first attacked and silenced one enemy missile site using air-to-ground missiles.

They then struck and destroyed a second missile site with bombs.

During the second attack, his wingman was shot down by intense anti-aircraft fire.

The two crewmen ejected safely.

Rather than leave the area, Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep them in sight and relay their location to rescue forces.

While doing so, a MiG-17 entered the area.

Thorsness immediately attacked and shot the enemy fighter down.

Because his aircraft was dangerously low on fuel, he was forced to leave temporarily to seek a tanker.

Then came word that two rescue helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew and hostile MiGs threatened to destroy them.

Despite his fuel emergency, Thorsness turned back alone through one of the most heavily defended skies in the world—filled with missiles and anti-aircraft guns.

Approaching the rescue area, he spotted four MiG-17s.

Without hesitation, he attacked.

He damaged one fighter and drove the others away from the helicopters and the downed airmen.

Later, learning another friendly aircraft was critically low on fuel and might have to be abandoned, Thorsness accepted further personal risk.

Though nearly out of fuel himself, he diverted to a forward operating base, allowing the other aircraft to refuel safely.

His extraordinary courage, repeated self-sacrifice, and determination to protect fellow airmen reflected the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

Medal of Honor Citation

THORSNESS, LEO K.

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, Lt. Col. Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. Lt. Col. 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, Lt. Col. Thorsness’ wingman was shot down by intensive antiaircraft fire, and the 2 crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Lt. Col. 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. Lt. Col. 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 2 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, Lt. Col. Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft defenses to the downed crew’s position. As he approached the area, he spotted 4 MIG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MIGs, damaging 1 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, Lt. Col. 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. Lt. Col. 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.