Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Leo K. Thorsness
October 7, 2022
1. Leo K. Thorsness Marker
Inscription.
Leo K. Thorsness. .
Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) U.S. Air Force, 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron over North Vietnam, 19 April 1967 Born 14 February 1932, Walnut Grove, MN; entered service at Walnut Grove, MN. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As pilot of an F-105 aircraft, Lt. Col. Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. Lt. Col. Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced a surface-to-air missile site with air-to-ground missiles, and then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile site with bombs. In the attack on the second missile site, Lt. Col. Thorsness' wingman was shot down by intensive anti-aircraft fire, and the two crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Lt. Col. Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay their position to the Search and Rescue Center. During this maneuver, a MIG-17 was sighted in the area. Lt. Col. Thorsness immediately initiated an attack and destroyed the MIG. Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was forced to depart the area in search of a tanker. Upon being advised that two helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew's position and that there were hostile MIGs in the area posing a serious threat to the helicopters, Lt. Col. Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft defenses to the downed crew's position. As he approached the area he spotted four MIG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MIGs, damaging one and driving the others away from the rescue scene. When it became apparent that an aircraft in the area was critically low on fuel and the crew would have to abandon the aircraft unless they would reach a tanker, Lt. Col. Thorsness, although critically short on fuel himself, helped to avert further possible loss of life and friendly aircraft by recovering at a forward operating base, thus allowing the aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel safely. Lt. Col. Thorsness' extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life were in the highest traditions of the military service and have reflected the great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.
Lieutenant Colonel (then Major) U.S. Air Force,
357th Tactical Fighter Squadron over North Vietnam, 19 April 1967
Born 14 February 1932, Walnut Grove, MN;
entered service at Walnut Grove, MN
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. As pilot of an F-105 aircraft, Lt. Col. Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam. Lt. Col. Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced a surface-to-air missile site with air-to-ground missiles, and then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile site with bombs. In the attack on the second missile site, Lt. Col. Thorsness' wingman was shot down by intensive anti-aircraft fire, and the two crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Lt. Col. Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay their position to the Search and Rescue Center. During this maneuver, a MIG-17 was sighted in the area. Lt. Col. Thorsness immediately initiated an attack and destroyed the MIG. Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was forced to depart the area in search of a tanker. Upon being advised that two helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew's position and that there were hostile MIGs in the area posing a serious threat to the helicopters, Lt. Col.
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Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft defenses to the downed crew's position. As he approached the area he spotted four MIG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MIGs, damaging one and driving the others away from the rescue scene. When it became apparent that an aircraft in the area was critically low on fuel and the crew would have to abandon the aircraft unless they would reach a tanker, Lt. Col. Thorsness, although critically short on fuel himself, helped to avert further possible loss of life and friendly aircraft by recovering at a forward operating base, thus allowing the aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel safely. Lt. Col. Thorsness' extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life were in the highest traditions of the military service and have reflected the great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 19, 1967.
Location. 43° 33.644′ N, 96° 44.461′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. Marker can be reached from North Walts Avenue
October 7, 2022
2. Leo K. Thorsness Marker
south of West Bailey Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Veterans' Memorial Park in Sioux Falls. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1021 W Bailey St, Sioux Falls SD 57104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2022. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2022.
