Humble hero visits RAF Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Airman Torri Ingalsbe
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  "I don't have anything really profound to say," said Col. Leo Thorsness, retired Air Force fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. 

The colonel, who visited RAF Lakenheath Aug. 7 to speak to Airmen about the importance of teamwork and families as part of a successful military, earned the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam. 

Colonel Thorsness took the stage with a spring in his step and not looking all of his 75 years. He had bright eyes and many smiles as he recalled stories which focused on the message he came to tell. 

"No one person wins a war," Colonel Thorsness said. "Take care of the man or woman beside you and they'll take care of you." 

The colonel explained his appreciation for teamwork and camaraderie with stories of aerial combat tactics and brief anecdotes from his time spent in a Vietnamese prison. 

Along with taking care of one another, Colonel Thorsness also stressed the importance of taking care of family and friends. 

"People have to balance their work and their lives," he said. "People shouldn't live in combat. They need to remember they have a family and friends." 

Colonel Thorsness recalled the first phone conversation he had with his wife after six years of being a prisoner of war. 

"When my wife answered the phone, I said to her, 'I would've called sooner, but I've been a little tied up,'" laughed Colonel Thorsness. 

"I think the military is becoming more people aware and is taking better care of the whole person," said Colonel Thorsness. "If things are good at home, the servicemember is better able to do their job," he added. 

An additional message the colonel had for Airmen was they shouldn't go out and try to be heroes. 

"Deploying Airmen go into the fight well trained, and with some of the best equipment out there," Colonel Thorsness said. "They should use all they've been given to the max, even push the envelope sometimes. People need to focus on just doing their jobs, and do them the best they can." 

Colonel Thorsness was awarded the Medal of Honor for a mission flown over North Vietnam in 1967. He learned of his nomination for the medal while he was a POW there. Colonel Thorsness was not able to receive his medal until he finally returned to the U. S. 

"I'm not sure that I'm a role model," said Colonel Thorsness, "I've just been around a long time." 

His words evoked two standing ovations from enlisted and officers alike, and for a man who doesn't feel he has anything profound to say, he certainly said a lot.