Pfc John F. Thorson
U.S. Army, Company G, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Background
 John F. Thorson was born May 10, 1920 to parents John Friestad Thorson and Anna Marie Opheim Thorson in Armstrong, Iowa. He attended Armstrong High School class of 1941 and worked on the family farm.
Wartime History
On April 19, 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army in Armstrong, Iowa. Assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, 17th Infantry Regiment, Company G. He served in Alaska on Attu and Kiska, then to Hawaii, Marshall Islands and participated in the invasion of Leyte. By 1944, promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
Wartime History
On October 28, 1944 participated in an attack against Japanese pillboxes and trenches south of Dagami on Leyte. Armed with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), he volunteered to move to the front and opened fire on an enemy trench with riflemen and was wounded. When the rest of his platoon reached him, an enemy grenade landed near them. Seeing the grenade, Thorson rolled onto the grenade and smothered the explosion. On October 29, 1944 he died of his wounds. For his actions, he earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
Medal of Honor
Thorson earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously for his actions on October 28, 1944. On July 5, 1945 his Medal of Honor was presented to his parents at their family farm in Armstrong, Iowa.
Medal of Honor (October 28, 1944, posthumously) General Orders No. 58, July 19, 1945
 Citation: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class John F. Thorson, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company G, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Private First Class Thorson 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, Private 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 six 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, Private 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." |
Memorials
On April 8, 1945 a memorial service attended by his parents was held for him in his hometown of Armstrong, Iowa. During 1948, his remains were shipped aboard Victory Ship SS Dalton Victory and returned to the United States. He was permanently s buried at Keokuk National Cemetery at section D site 71.
On October 31, 1947 Becket Bend was renamed USAT Private John F. Thorson was was named in his honor. In 1950, in U.S. Navy service renamed Private John F. Thorson (T–AK–247)
References
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - John F. Thorson (MOH citation)
Hall of Valor - John F. Thorson (MOH citation)
FindAGrave - John Friestad Thorson Jr. (photo, grave photo)
grave lists his of death listed as October 29, 1944
IAGenWeb - Pfc. John F. Thorson transcribed articles 1944–1948 related to Pfc. John F. Thorson.
Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?
|
