World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Corporal, Light Machine Gunner, in the United States Army in Troop D, 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Armored Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on December 21, 1944 near Grufflingen, Belgium. He was killed in action. His citation reads in part "To complete the destruction of the tank and its crew, Cpl. Thorne left his covered position and crept forward alone through intense machine-gun fire until close enough to toss two grenades into the tank's open turret, killing two more Germans. He returned across the same fire-beaten zone as heavy mortar fire began falling in the area, seized his machine gun, and without help, dragged it to the knocked-out tank and set it up on the vehicle's rear deck. He fired short rapid bursts into the enemy positions from his advantageous but exposed location, killing or wounding eight. Two enemy machine-gun crews abandoned their positions and retreateed in confusion. His gun jammed; but rather than leave his self-chosen post, he attempted to clear the stoppage; enemy small-arms fire, concentrated on the tank, killed him instantly. Cpl. Thorne, displaying heroic initiative and intrepid fighting qualities, inflicted costly casualties on the enemy and insured the success of his patrol's mission by the sacrifice of his life."
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Corporal, Light Machine Gunner, in the United States Army in Troop D, 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Armored Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on December 21, 1944 near Grufflingen, Belgium. He was killed in action. His citation reads in part "To complete the destruction of the tank and its crew, Cpl. Thorne left his covered position and crept forward alone through intense machine-gun fire until close enough to toss two grenades into the tank's open turret, killing two more Germans. He returned across the same fire-beaten zone as heavy mortar fire began falling in the area, seized his machine gun, and without help, dragged it to the knocked-out tank and set it up on the vehicle's rear deck. He fired short rapid bursts into the enemy positions from his advantageous but exposed location, killing or wounding eight. Two enemy machine-gun crews abandoned their positions and retreateed in confusion. His gun jammed; but rather than leave his self-chosen post, he attempted to clear the stoppage; enemy small-arms fire, concentrated on the tank, killed him instantly. Cpl. Thorne, displaying heroic initiative and intrepid fighting qualities, inflicted costly casualties on the enemy and insured the success of his patrol's mission by the sacrifice of his life."
Bio by: Don Morfe
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