Leo K. Thorsness Collection

Biographical Information

Name:

Leo K. Thorsness

State of Birth:

MN

Home State:

AZ

Note

MV01 is housed with the collection of Nick Daniel Bacon AFC 2001/001/89608 as MV03. MV02 is housed with the collection of Gary L. Littrell AFC 2001/001/89725 as MV01.

Gender

Male

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War or Conflict

Vietnam War, 1961-1975

Military Status

Veteran

Dates of Service

1951-1973

Entrance into Service

Enlisted

Branch of Service

Air Force

Unit of Service

357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing

Location of Service

George Air Force Base, California; Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand; Vietnam

Highest Rank

Colonel

Prisoner of War

Yes

Service History Note

The veteran earned the Medal of Honor for his service over North Vietnam on 04/19/1967. He was a prisoner of war (POW) after being shot down on 04/30/1967. He was released 03/04/1973.

Collection Information

Type of Resource:

Video: Betacam SP [0 item] -- Oral history interview

Video: Betacam SP [0 item] -- Oral history interview

Video: Betacam SP [1 item] -- Oral history interview

Video: Betacam SP [1 item] -- Oral history interview

Video: Betacam SP [1 item] -- Oral history interview

Manuscript: Biographical information [2 items] -- Typewritten document

Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording

Interviewer:

unknown interviewer

Contributor:

Thomas Wilkerson

Contributor Affiliation/Organization:

Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation (CMOH)

Collection #:

AFC/2001/001/89790

Subjects:

Thorsness, Leo K.

Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal Narratives

United States. Air Force.

Prisoner of War--United States

Cite as:

Leo K. Thorsness Collection
(AFC/2001/001/89790), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress