World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Private First Class in Company G, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on October 28, 1944. His citation reads: "He was an automatic rifleman on 28 October 1944, in the attack on Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands. A heavily fortified enemy position consisting of pillboxes and supporting trenches held up the advance of his company. His platoon was ordered to out-flank and neutralize the strongpoint. "Voluntarily moving out well in front of his group, Pvt. Thorson came upon an enemy fire trench defended by several hostile riflemen and, disregarding the intense fire directed at him, attacked single-handed. He was seriously wounded and fell about 6 yards from the trench. "Just as the remaining 20 members of the platoon reached him, one of the enemy threw a grenade into their midst. Shouting a warning and making a final effort, Pvt. Thorson rolled onto the grenade and smothered the explosion with his body. He was instantly killed, but his magnificent courage and supreme self-sacrifice prevented the injury and popssible death of his comrades, and remain with them as a lasting inspiration."
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Private First Class in Company G, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on October 28, 1944. His citation reads: "He was an automatic rifleman on 28 October 1944, in the attack on Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands. A heavily fortified enemy position consisting of pillboxes and supporting trenches held up the advance of his company. His platoon was ordered to out-flank and neutralize the strongpoint. "Voluntarily moving out well in front of his group, Pvt. Thorson came upon an enemy fire trench defended by several hostile riflemen and, disregarding the intense fire directed at him, attacked single-handed. He was seriously wounded and fell about 6 yards from the trench. "Just as the remaining 20 members of the platoon reached him, one of the enemy threw a grenade into their midst. Shouting a warning and making a final effort, Pvt. Thorson rolled onto the grenade and smothered the explosion with his body. He was instantly killed, but his magnificent courage and supreme self-sacrifice prevented the injury and popssible death of his comrades, and remain with them as a lasting inspiration."
Bio by: Kent Kooi
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PFC, 17 INF, 7 INF DIV WORLD WAR II
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