Korean War
| Service # | O-2055242 |
|---|---|
| Unit | L CO 34 INF 24 DIV |
| Rank | First Lieutenant U.S. Army |
| Date of Death | November 1 1950 |
| Status | Missing In Action |
| Memorialized |
Courts of the Missing
Court
8
Honolulu Memorial |
Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Prisoner of War Medal
Purple Heart
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
For his leadership and valor, First Lieutenant Thornton was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Notes
First Lieutenant Thornton was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy in South Korea on July 15, 1950, forced to march to North Korea on the "Tiger Death March", and was shot to death by North Korean major during the march from Manpo to Chunggang-jin, North Korea on November 1, 1950. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.