Michael E. Thornton - U.S. Navy/Navy SEAL (1967–1992)

Michael Edwin Thornton (born March 23, 1949) is a retired United States Navy SEAL and recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the medal for saving the life of his senior officer, Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, who also earned the Medal of Honor in an unrelated incident.
On October 31 1972, Thornton participated in a mission to capture prisoners and gather intelligence from the Cửa Việt Base near the coast of Quảng Trị Province, just south of the Demilitarized Zone. In addition to Thornton, the mission team consisted of SEAL Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, and three experienced Vietnamese men Thornton had worked with before, members of the LDNN, the South Vietnamese Special Forces. The group was transported by junk until sunset, then paddled a rubber boat to within a mile of shore and swam the remaining distance. Moving inland past numerous North Vietnamese encampments, the group reconnoitered through the night.
The team soon realized that they had landed too far north and were actually in North Vietnam. For the next four hours, the five men held off an enemy force estimated at 150 strong. Norris attempted to call in the Vietnamese junk boats, one of which had a mortar on board, but the destroyers forbid them from entering the line of fire. Thornton, Norris and the three Vietnamese were alone and nearly surrounded. Near dawn, Norris ordered the group to extract towards the beach, and they leap-frogged towards the surf. Norris was able to contact the cruiser USS Newport News and requested that they fire for effect to cover their withdrawal. Norris covered the group's rearward movement. As he prepared to fire a LAW rocket at a group of 70 to 75 North Vietnamese troops attacking his position, he was severely wounded by a round through his head.
One of the South Vietnamese who saw Norris get shot assumed he was dead. Thornton, upon hearing the news, ran about 400 yards (370 m) to the last location he saw Norris to recover the body of his fallen comrade. When he found Norris, he saw that "the whole side of his head was completely gone." As enemy troops overran his position, he stopped to shoot several. Thornton put Norris on his shoulders and ran back towards the beach when the first shell from the Newport News struck the beach. The concussion from the round blew Thornton and Norris 20 feet (6.1 m) into the air. It also slowed the advance of the enemy troops, and Thornton picked up Norris who he discovered was just barely alive.
Thornton carried Norris into the surf and began to swim with him. One of the Vietnamese was shot in the buttocks and couldn't swim, so Thornton grabbed him as well and pushed both of them out to sea. Bullets landed in the sea all around them. The Newport News left, thinking that the Americans and South Vietnamese had been killed. Thornton bandaged Norris' wound as well as he could and swam for about three hours. One of the South Vietnamese was finally picked up by the junk. He reported that the two Americans were dead, which was relayed to the Newport News. Thornton fired Norris' AK-47 to draw the attention of the junk. They were picked up and then transported to the Newport News. Thornton carried Norris to the operating room, where the doctor told Thornton, "There's no way he's going to make it."
For these actions, Thornton was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon during a ceremony at the White House on October 15, 1973. The man Thornton rescued, Thomas Norris, survived his wounds and was awarded the Medal of Honor from President Gerald R. Ford in a White House ceremony on March 6, 1976, for his April 1972 rescue of Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Hambleton and First Lieutenant Mark Clark in the rescue of Bat 21 Bravo.

00:00 - Opening Credits
00:23 - Mike Thornton introduction
01:55 - SEAL training
03:02 - Barry W. Enoch
03:28 - Vietnam Special Operations
07:09 - Operation Details
10:59 - No one know where we were
15:43 - We were in North Vietnam
16:15 - The firefight lasted for 2 hours and 48 mins
18:34 - Thomas "Tommy" Norris was shot in the head
21:05 - We swam for approximately 3 hours
22:03 - They though we were all dead
23:57 - With the grace of God...
25:00 - Receiving Medal of Honor
24:39 - I went to war because my country asked me to

[billymcmanus]

I was serving onboard the USS Newport News ca 148 during Vietnam tour in 1972. On Oct 31 a seal team was brought onboard with wounded personnel as there was a Med Officer onboard, not known at the time who they were, one with head wound. Never knew until yr's later it was Michael Thornton and Tom Norris. Welcome Home Gentlemen, Glad you made it! I was a 18y/o kid now close to 71, some things you just don't forget.

[navyeodguy]

I met Mike in 1976. I have no idea why he was in GLAKES, but it was a blessing. We met every night for about 6 weeks for beer & dinner at the Acey/Duecy club.

One helluva man.

They govt was going to send a few 6 man EOD teams to Nicaragua for a mission. At one of our first intel briefings, the powers that be had decided we’d go in unarmed. I argued until I was blue in the face, including a recent ambush of USAF personnel on a military bus. Of course the USAF guys we unarmed.

Mike worked at a non-SEAL command a stones throw from our command. I went and told Mike what was going on. He was red faced. We were both LT at the time. I have no idea who Mike knew, but less than 10 days later we got the go ahead AND we would be armed.

Bravo Zulu, Mike.

[bravobravoh]

This guy is a badass. There's no other way to put it.

[ralphvandereb]

Finest example of what real men should aspire to be like. Respect Sir !

[patrickmolloy]

Then, Lt Thornton was a speaker at my ship’s commissioning in Little Creek. I met him briefly before the ceremony. He exudes heroism with his presence. Very intense but humble officer.

[davehunt]

This man is of the finest example of what America truly is.We all should respect and appreciate his fine service and dedication.I for one am very proud to be a part of a country that provides men like Mike and tommy.

[BillAdams-yy]

Lt Thornton was my Navy dive class CO in 1985 at Little Creek VA. Class 85005. This man is an absolute living hero and ultimate example of an American badass. True warrior .It was an honor to have known you sir.

[jamesrobertson]

Guarantee he knew my Company Comander in boot camp. QMC Keith Bohannon. The man is a unit. Changed my entire outlook on life in two weeks and its lasted 50+ years. Men like these are so very few and far between. Thank you sir!!!

[uthedan]

This guy is such a freaking humble hero. May God bless this man and his family.

[johnchestnutt]

Not many men made like this one anymore. My father was army and returned home. My wife's father was an AF pilot buy did not make it home as he was shot down - couldn't eject but did get his backseat out safely(he did get home). Thank you to all who served our country!

[J.Walker]

One tough, honorable, and true hero.

[stunes]

Our EOD officer was a former member of UDT team 11 and Seal Team 1 during Vietnam. Incredible men. Glad I served with them

[waltervonborstel-serz]

My diving officer and my running mate. 83-84 Hoo -Yah Mike!

[michaelfesta]

Your a great patriot and this country owes everything

[vpanigale]

I was a British army commando and went to the Navy SEAL Museum about 18 months ago. Massive respect to all of you guys and what you did

[chorddave]

I grew up around guys like this. My Dad was a fighter pilot (F-86, F-101)and my grandfather was a Nevada State Police Officer, who died in the line of duty. Their example humbles me, and guides me, every day.

[Rosie-died]

Dear Mr Thornton, I heard your story today about Tommy on YouTube. I was totally enthralled by your story you kept me spellbound the whole time today. Today is your birthday. I’m viewing this Sunday, March 23, 2025 and I just looked up at the date and I looked at your birthday and I said holy smokes todays his birthday, sir wishing you the best to you and Tommy and above all your family. I hope everybody is well. I’m a veteran of the US Marine Corps reserve I’m 70 years old. I left the Marine Corps. After 9.5 years I never saw action, but I love my country and I served proudly from 1973-1982

[jafo]

This story is the yard stick from which any Medal of Honor should be awarded. I have never heard another story that comes close to his.

[rjohnson]

This man's words just changed my life for the better. I'll leave it at that.

[wrappnalaskan]

I spent a week with Mike and Tommy Norris... and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life... it was at a remote hunting lodge... there were only 5 of us out there and I got see them as themselves... no matter the conversation, no matter the activity...chow time, coffee time... no matter what, Mike's attention was on Tommy... their devotion to each other was really the only thing in the room... Mike is a huge guy with a menacing energy but when it came to Tommy he was like a younger brother looking up to his smaller brother... I can't really explain it... their love for each other is beyond words