Leo K. Thorsness

Leo K. Thorsness
Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Leo K. Thorsness
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 11th district
In office
January 9, 1989 – January 11, 1993
Preceded byEugene V. Lux
Succeeded byMargarita Prentice
Personal details
Born(1932-02-14)February 14, 1932
Walnut Grove, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedMay 2, 2017(2017-05-02) (aged 85)
St. Augustine, Florida, U.S.[1]
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery[2]
Political partyRepublican
Alma materSouth Dakota State College
University of Omaha
University of Southern California
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Years of service1951–1973
RankColonel
Unit357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (6)
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart (2)
Air Medal (10)

Leo Keith Thorsness (February 14, 1932 – May 2, 2017) was a colonel in the United States Air Force who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal for an air engagement on April 19, 1967. He was shot down two weeks later and spent almost six years in captivity in North Vietnam as a prisoner of war. After his military service, Thorsness served one term in the Washington State Senate.

  1. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipient Leo K. Thorsness Dies at Age of 85". Military.com. Stars & Stripes. May 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  2. ^ Staff Sgt. Alyssa C. Gibson (February 14, 2018). "Medal of Honor recipient, former POW laid to rest". af.mil. Retrieved February 19, 2018.