During the Vietnam War, acts of bravery were not uncommon, but some went above and beyond the call of duty. One such story is that of Air Force Major Leo K. Thorsness, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his extraordinary gallantry in the skies over North Vietnam.

On April 19, 1967, a day like any other in the heat of the Vietnam conflict, Major Thorsness led a flight of four F-105F Thunderchiefs on a mission that would etch his name into the annals of military history.

Their task was an “Iron Hand” mission, a perilous operation aimed to suppress enemy air defenses in support of a raid against the Xuan Mai army barracks and storage area.

The F-105 Thunderchief, affectionately known as the “Thud,” was the aircraft of choice for this formidable assignment. Built by Republic Aviation, the F-105 was a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber developed to replace the F-84F.

Among the 833 Thunderchiefs built, 610 were the F-105D model, designed for the rigors of combat as the US faced the challenges of the Cold War and beyond.

On that fateful April day, as Major Thorsness and his squadron darted across the sky, they encountered hostile fire and engaged in air-to-air combat.

Amid the chaos, Major Thorsness’s wingman was hit and began leaking fuel. Demonstrating exceptional leadership and situational awareness, Thorsness directed a tanker to assist the imperiled aircraft.

Thorsness, despite his F-105 not being designed for air-to-air combat, engaged the MiG and successfully destroyed it using 20-mm cannon fire, while a second MiG approached from behind.

Yet, in what could only be described as a double-edged sword of fortune, Thorsness’s own aircraft soon faced a critical situation – the fuel gauge reading “empty.”

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. With a daring mix of skill and resolve, When within 60 miles of Udorn, he throttled back to idle and “glided” toward the base, touching down “long” (mid-runway) as his fuel totalizer indicated empty tanks.

Major Thorsness’s actions on that day went beyond the successful completion of the mission. His bravery, tactical acumen, and selfless decision-making under pressure saved lives and contributed to the overall success of the operation, earning him the highest military honor awarded by the United States government – the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Those who delve into the details of such historic encounters often find themselves in awe of the capabilities of military aircraft like the F-105 and the valor of pilots like Major Thorsness.

As the listeners of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast, episode 2784, learned about Major Thorsness’s Congressional Medal of Honor award honors, it undoubtedly sparked a sense of pride and respect.

The F-105 pilot, Major Thorsness, who faced down death and emerged victorious, will forever remain an emblem of the bravery that military service can demand, and the human spirit that soars even when the fuel gauge reads “empty.”

Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness demonstrated extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice, and personal bravery under significant risk, upholding the highest military standards and bringing great credit to himself and the U.S. Air Force.

Relevant articles:
– Episode 2784 – Medal of Honor tribute to Air Force Maj. Leo K. Thorsness, Vietnam Veteran News