Skies of Valor

Lieutenant Colonel Leo K. Thorsness, piloting an F-105 aircraft, undertook a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. He and his wingman first targeted and disabled a missile site using air-to-ground missiles, then proceeded to destroy a second missile site with bombs. During the second attack, however, intense antiaircraft fire brought down his wingman’s aircraft, forcing both crewmembers to eject.

Thorsness circled their descending parachutes, keeping them in sight and relaying their location to the Search and Rescue Center. While doing so, he spotted an enemy MiG-17 in the area and quickly engaged, successfully destroying it. With fuel running low, he initially left to locate a tanker.

Soon after, he learned that two helicopters were stationed over the downed crew’s position, but enemy MiGs were closing in and threatening the rescue. Despite his own critical fuel situation, Thorsness returned alone through heavy anti-aircraft defenses to protect the area. As he arrived, he encountered four MiG-17s, immediately attacking and damaging one while driving the others away from the rescue operation.

When he became aware that another friendly aircraft was dangerously low on fuel and might have to be abandoned, Thorsness chose to recover at a forward base, conserving fuel to allow the other aircraft to refuel safely. His courageous actions and exceptional airmanship earned him the Medal of Honor.