FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of the Heroes: Michael Thornton ~ August 11, 2008

Linked in thread | Tom & Jerry

[StarCMC]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Michael Thornton

"You can only take your memories and your word,
and your honor to the grave."
Info and photos from this website.

           

Michael E. Thornton
U.S. Navy Seals

Michael E. Thornton, a native of South Carolina, enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967. He entered basic training at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, California.

Subsequently, he was selected for specialized training in Basic Underwater Demolition training in Coronado, California and the Navy's elite SEAL community.

Upon successful completion of training, he was assigned to SEAL team ONE based in Coronado, California from 1968-1974. During the period of October 1968 to January 1973, he completed several tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand.

During this time, he was the recipient of numerous awards. His most prestigious decoration was bestowed for heroic actions on his last tour of duty in Vietnam which resulted in saving the life of a fellow SEAL. For this action during a reconnaissance and intelligence gathering mission, he received this Nation's highest award, the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR.

From 1974 to 1977 he served as an instructor at the SEAL training command in Coronado, California. In 1977 he transferred to SEAL team TWO in Little Creek, Virginia where he was the senior enlisted (man) in an operational platoon and also served as an instructor for SEAL Basic Indoctrination. In 1978 he deployed to the United Kingdom to serve two years with the Royal Marine British Special Boat Squadron in an exchange billet.

Upon completion of his successful tour with the British, he returned to help establish and operate with SEAL Team SIX. Here he was instrumental in developing new and innovative operational techniques and hardware that formed the foundation for future unique special operations missions.

In June 1982, Lieutenant Thornton received his commission as a United States Navy Ensign. He completed Basic Officer Diving and Salvage Training and immediately thereafter was assigned as the Officer-in-Charge of the Second Class Dive School at the Little Creek Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Virginia. In January 1986, he reported to the USS Edenton (ATS-1) as the First Lieutenant and Diving and Salvage Officer for Combat Support Squadron Eight, at Little Creek. In April 1990, Lieutenant Thornton reported as Bravo Company Commander where he coordinated a rapid response deployment in support of DESERT SHEILD/ DESERT STORM.

    Lieutenant Thornton's personal decorations include:
    - The Congressional Medal of Honor
    - Silver Star
    - (3) Bronze Star Medals with Combat "V"
    - Purple Heart
    - Meritorious Service Medal
    - (3) Navy Commodation Medals with Combat "V"
    - Navy Achievement Medal
    - The Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star
    - The Vietnamese Service Medal with one Silver Star and
    - Two Bronze Stars
    - as well as, numerous unit citations

In May 1992, Lieutenant Thornton retired being the last Congressional Medal of Honor recipient serving on active duty in the Navy. 

In August of 2008, Michael Thornton escorted wounded veterans from all services at the Wounded Warrior Project's golf tournament in Los Angeles.  The event raised over $100,000 for the charity, which works to raise the morale of our wounded heroes.  More about this story at MarketWatch.com.

A Story of Comraderie

Rank and organization: Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, Navy Advisory Group.

Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 31 October 1972.

Entered service at: Spartanburg, S.C. Born: 23 March 1949, Greenville, S.C.

__________

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while participating in a daring operation against enemy forces.

PO Thornton, as Assistant U.S. Navy Advisor, along with a U.S. Navy lieutenant serving as Senior Advisor, accompanied a 3-man Vietnamese Navy SEAL patrol on an intelligence gathering and prisoner capture operation against an enemy-occupied naval river base.

Launched from a Vietnamese Navy junk in a rubber boat, the patrol reached land and was continuing on foot toward its objective when it suddenly came under heavy fire from a numerically superior force. The patrol called in naval gunfire support and then engaged the enemy in a fierce firefight, accounting for many enemy casualties before moving back to the waterline to prevent encirclement.

Upon learning that the Senior Advisor had been hit by enemy fire and was believed to be dead, PO Thornton returned through a hail of fire to the lieutenant's last position; quickly disposed of 2 enemy soldiers about to overrun the position, and succeeded in removing the seriously wounded and unconscious Senior Naval Advisor to the water's edge. He then inflated the lieutenant's lifejacket and towed him seaward for approximately 2 hours until picked up by support craft.

By his extraordinary courage and perseverance, PO Thornton was directly responsible for saving the life of his superior officer and enabling the safe extraction of all patrol members, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Star!

[StarCMC]

Canteen ping to a new Hall of the Heroes FReeper Canteen! :-) Happy Monday and GO USA!!!

[StarCMC]

Aloha, friend!! How are you?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

BOO!

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

NEVER FORGET

.

First hand Stories (Outstanding Soldier drawings)

http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65452

.

NEVER FORGET

.

[ConorMacNessa]

Greetings To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, Our Veterans, Their Families, FRiends and To Our Allies!

Missing Man Setting

Never Forget Those Who Sacrificed All That We Could Live In Freedom!!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

God Bless this Hero, Star!

[BIGLOOK]

Fair to middling, all things considered. We have the return of the Native here....or a kamaaina if you discount time spent in Kenya, Indonesia....Pakistan and Chicago.
Fortunately it's been quiet.

[ConorMacNessa]

FREEDOM ISN’T FREE!

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It is purchased with the blood of Patriots!

[ConorMacNessa]

THE SOLDIERS CODE

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The Soldier’s Code

1) I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies, or harmful to their cause.

6) I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, August, 1955.

[StarCMC]

I love that post!! :-)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Star - a great thread for a great hero!

[StarCMC]

EEEEEK!!!! :-) *HUG*

[ConorMacNessa]

Aloha, Biglook - how's it going with you?

[StarCMC]

Hey there ALOHA RONNIE! Thanks for stopping by! *HUG*

[Old Sarge]

PRESENT!

Reporting from duty here in the Guard!

How is everything, Star?

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Lady Ms. B.!

*BOW*

How fare thee this eventide?

[StarCMC]

You know, the coolest thing about this guy is that he is STILL helping other wounded heroes. God bless him, indeed!!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Good evening Sir Knight!
*HUG*

[StarCMC]

Someday, BIGLOOK, I hope to see your islands.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Old Sarge! How's it going with you?

[StarCMC]

Everything’s going great! We just hosted a going away party for some good friends who are moving away last night - big ol’ pool party shindig. Was quite shocking how many people were in the pool at one time - LOL! And I don’t think anything in the county escaped the splashing. ;-)

How about you - how are things in your neck o’ the woods?

[Old Sarge]

BOO yourself, girls!

[Kathy in Alaska]

MOH Recipient: Michael Thornton

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[Old Sarge]

Had to spend a little extra time at the guard this weekend, but got into the civilian job only a little late.

Check your FReepmail, girls!

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops they're fighting for our Freedom.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*curtsey*
Good evening Sir Conor!
I didn’t have such a great day yesterday, but am feelng much better, thank you!

[ConorMacNessa]

Flag Raising on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, 23Feb1945



“Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue.”

FADM Chester W. Nimitz, USN

[mylife]

‘ello ‘ello!

[StarCMC]

‘owdy ‘owdy!

[moonpie57]

My daddy was adopted by Thornton’s. I wonder if he is related. I wouldn’t be related by blood, but it would be an honor to be in the family.

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Doc!



Last Friday this landed in Honolulu.....



And this landed in Hilo.

So I'm feeling fine.

[StarCMC]

Done! And man - I wonder when my bro will be home next for drill — I haven’t seen him in a while. :-)

[mylife]

;)

[StarCMC]

COOL! That would be an honor indeed!!!

[ConorMacNessa]

Are you there?

[mylife]

Where? L0L

[ConorMacNessa]

There, of course!

How's it going this evening?

[ConorMacNessa]

Looks to me like Hilo got the better part of the deal.

[mylife]

Doing well.

I made 5 lbs of chiltepin/teriyaki jerky last night/today (yom)

Just had a nice raspberry/chipolte and cream cheese dip with chips at the neighbors.

Yakked at Mom who just came back from weekend in Canada.

Doing some laundry

[bert]

......chiltepin....

????...

[ConorMacNessa]

Doing well here, too. Made a huge batch of Chili for dinner tonight - it was well received. Paid bills. (ouch!) Getting ready to crack open a nice bottle of Dalmore Cigar Malt. Life is good.

[mylife]

Wild pepper indigenous to Mexico/Texas

Can you say Hot??

I knew ya could ;)

[mylife]

Ahhh... simple pleasures!

[mylife]

[mylife]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiltepin

[ConorMacNessa]

I'm savoring it now. This is definitely one of my favorite Scotches!

[mylife]

Wish I could get a draw of that.

Whats the cigar?

[imahawk]

Evening Star.This guy is one HARD CHARGER.Thanks for posting.