"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 well out 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, 1 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 possible death of his comrades, and remain with them as a lasting
inspiration."
From PFC. Thorson's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on July 19, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel
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