Former POW shares life philosophy
'Do what's right' is mantra for Medal of Honor winner, Vietnam veteran
By JENNIFER BREVORKA, Staff Writer
RALEIGH -- Col. Leo K. Thorsness' motto in life fits on one hand and is all of five words: "Do what's right. Help others."
Those simple statements guided Thorsness, 72, through six years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.
"It became my mantra," he said Thursday night.
After a missile hit the F-105 aircraft Thorsness was piloting, he and his partner ejected from the smoldering plane and parachuted into the Vietnamese jungle. As he floated toward land, Thorsness said he knew he would either be killed or captured.
In his mind, two thoughts alternated. The first was, if he died in the jungle, would his family ever know? The second was firm and concrete as a voice repeated, "Leo, you're going to make it."
"I've never had a direct line to the Lord before," Thorsness said. "But I liked it."
Thorsness spoke before 220 people at Exploris in downtown Raleigh during a client appreciation dinner hosted by the investment firm Smith Barney. During his 45-minute speech, the former Air Force pilot discussed his views on courage, teamwork and freedom.
In 1973, President Nixon awarded Thorsness the Medal of Honor in connection with his service as a pilot during the April 19, 1967, mission.
The medal is the highest award that can be given to a soldier for valor in combat. There are 129 living medal winners, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The Minnesota native recounted how, shortly after his return to the United States, he and other POWs were interviewed about their experiences. After talking about the torture and pain, the men were asked, "How did you do it? How did you keep up your spirits?"
For Thorsness it boiled down to how to break down time, the inextinguishable will to survive and love. He shared a special bond with the other prisoners as they endured years of illness, punishment and torture.
"Just being there is a big chunk of it," Thorsness said. "Any extra words is just gravy."
For more information on the Medal of Honor, see http://cmohs.org.
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