After that, only silence was heard in response to repeated attempts to raise anyone aboard the Kingbee. In 1999, Thorne's remains were found by a Finnish and Joint Task. Rumors swirled that this indestructible warrior had survived the crash of his aircraft and was either actively fighting against the communists or languishing in some secret POW camp. I thought that I was the only Casca fan! Larry Thorne, missing in action for decades, was given full honors and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery June 26, 2003. Tainted and painted with the same brush that condemned the SS, even though many were front line soldiers and not the infamous SS Totenkopfverbnde Prison Guards responsible for the atrocities in the labor and death camps. He departed his life June 23, 2020, at home in Welcome, Maryland. Purple Heart, one Distinguished Flying Cross. See my book Born a Soldier, the Times and Life of Larry Thorne, or my website for more insight about all this. Will Dabbs A native of the Mississippi Delta, Will is a mechanical engineer who flew UH1H, OH58A/C, CH47D, and AH1S aircraft as an Army Aviator. There are two soldiers Id like to have had a morning coffee and a chat with, Larry Thorne and Desmond Doss. A captivating story about controversial war hero Larry A. Thorne who during World War II fought against the Russians, under the Finnish flag and later under the German flag. How Larry Thorne became a Special Forces legend. He had simply disappeared. About the author: One of Thorne's crowning achievements was during the 1950s when he led a covert mission into the Iran to recover bodies and classified data from a C-130 transport plane that had gone down in the country's largest mountain range. It would also make a simply fantastic movie. Lauri Torni was born in 1919 in Viipuri (a part of Finland occupied by Russia since the end of WW2), joined the Finnish army in 1938 and served as a patrol NCO during the Winter War (1939-1940), a prelude to WW2 where the Soviet Union launched an invasion of Finland. Major Larry Thorne was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on June 26, 2003. Although his chopper crashed and he was listed MIA for over three decades, the mission was a success: his men called in 51 air strikes to disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail supply stations and made it out alive. Cross of Mannerheim, an Iron Cross, a Bronze Star, He escaped prison three times and made his way to the United States where he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private. Lauri Allan Trni! Still, he refused and instead requested command of a special-operations base, and thats what he lived and died for. Buddy was born in the Mill Village in Cordova, Alabama, on June 12, 1935. (Bees) of the mission recovered at the crash site. As Larry Thorne's helicopter and Major Pyles' Bird Dog attempted to descend, the clouds again closed up. There are roughly 400,000 veterans and eligible dependents buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Updated by the P.O.W. The remains were subsequently identified by the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii. Torni was commissioned a Vanrikki, or 2LT, in the Finnish Army. In America, posthumous fame arrived when he was portrayed by Wayne in the 1968 film The Green Berets.. Best pediatrician in town-no doubt the most knowledgeable. Country of Loss: South Vietnam (official); Laos (actual) The award commemorates Special Forces legend Larry Thorne a technically and tactically proficient warrior who was always on the offensive. Glad you were identified in 2002, Welcome Home. Larry Thorne knife Os Lauri Trni Perinnekilta ry logo was handcrafted with saw, file and pliers from silver. His remains were never found. Trni, by now better known to his colleagues as Larry Thorne, disappeared after the helicopter he was in went down close to the Laos border in 1965. RELATED POSTS Post-war Germany: A tale of two armies Artillery strike on Zelenopillya: [] We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Staff 5. The helicopter crashed on a mountain-top in a severe thuderstorm. Please keep up the awesome work! In Finland, hopes were raised for the national hero's possible burial in his home country. No one was hurt, however, apart from a few bruises and contusions. | Strategic Landpower Forum. Please keep them headed our way. The fourth was a Finnish war hero from World War II who later became a legendary U.S. Special Forces officer, portrayed on film by John Wayne. Abrams Kimberly Storey. Thorne first deployed to Vietnam in November of 1963. As Shultz tells it, In September 1944, Finland surrendered to the Soviet Union. But is is very . Born "Lauri Trni," Thorne fought in Finland's first to last battles with Russia winning the country's equivalent of the . However, both the US and South Vietnamese military found them to be extremely effective throughout the war. It was a mission in which others had failed, but Thornes unrelenting spirit led to its accomplishment. Larry "Mike" Thorne, pastor of Abundant Life Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to thirty years in prison for repeatedly sexually molesting a church teenager. I recall reading about the Major in the 80s before his remains were recovered, and also again in the very late 90s/early 2000 when his remains were recovered. In June of 1998, the book THE SOLDIER UNDER THREE FLAGS was made available by Pathfinder publishing. A traditional American military officer's burial is to be expected, with trumpets and salutes, says Trni's nephew Juha Rajala, who is also the Vice President of the Lauri Trni Tradition Guild in Finland. Thorne fought for the Finnish and German armies against the Soviets, earning the U.S. equivalent of the Medal of Honor, before joining a fledging U.S. Special Forces, where he shared years of hardcore experience in survival, mountaineering, ski warfare, guerilla tactics and other unconventional warfare. Larry Alan Thorne was born on May 28, 1919 and joined the Armed Forces while in Norwalk, Connecticut. By the time the U.S. entered Vietnam, Thorne had annihilated enemy forces in waist-deep sub-zero snowdrifts, in mud-covered rainforests and commanded black ops in the Middle East. Larry Thorne - Special Forces Legend. Trni still enjoys an awesome reputation amongst military men even today, nearly 40 years after his demise. Then we made a mold and used it for casting these silver pieces, now used in the sheath of the knives, in the head of Larry Thorne 100 years anniversary knife and series of jewelry. Master Jeweler at Jensen Jewelers, Billings, Montana November 17, 2021 - Present Jeweler and Diamond setter for 41 years May 2, 2020 to present College Studied at Valley City State University High school No schools to show Photos See all photos Others Named Larry Thorne Lawrence Thorne Lorenzo Thorne Lawrence Franklin Thorne Lorenzo Thorne He was the eternal soldier. Lauri Torni (later known as Larry Thorne) was a pure bred badass that fought for 3 different armies and became a captain in each of those, earning a truckload of medals in the process. Now the three lie together with Thorne in America's most hallowed ground, a unique ending to a unique story. Thorne had other plans. I know I look forward to each and every one no matter where I run across it. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, section 60, tombstone 8136, on 26 June 2003. Each book explores Cascas experience fighting during some different historical era. Buzz, Related Tags: 19 Oct 1965 (aged 46) Nng, Nng Municipality, Vietnam. According to reports, the SAR personnel found and recovered the remains of the South Vietnamese aircrew, but found no sign of Larry Thorne either dead or alive. He received additional training in Nazi Germany and then looked forward to returning to the battlefield. Three of those laid to rest were South Vietnamese Air Force crew members. He was a recipient of the Mannerheim Cross, Finland's highest award for gallantry in the field. A captivating story about controversial war hero Larry A. Thorne who during World War II fought against the Russians, under the Finnish flag and later under the German flag. Great with the kids, they ask to "go see Dr. Thorne". On 18 October 1965, the first MACV-SOG cross-border mission was to be inserted by South Vietnamese Air Force helicopters into a target area approximately 20 miles northwest of Kham Duc known as D-1 to locate and report on North Vietnamese activity operating on and near Highway 165. For each sold 100 years anniversary knife we will forward 50 to support Larry Thorne heritage guild. Hi DR. Dabbs, as usual a great article! He was elected to the court in 1998. The unit adopted a distinctive unit insignia that featured a prominent T in reference to their dashing young commander. After Trni's status was changed from missing in action to presumably killed in action, a memorial service was already organised in Helsinki back in 1967. He supported himself working as a carpenter and cleaner. "Being assigned to JTFFA was an opportunity to serve my country and bring our guys home," said Hollingsworth, who spent 23 years on active duty. Next year Lauri Trni would have celebrated his 85th birthday. They recovered several fragments of bones and a Swedish-made machine pistol that Thorne carried with him. The weather proved especially hazardous, forcing them to weaving between thunderheads and sunbeams while avoiding sporadic .50 caliber machinegun fire, all of which missed. He was promoted 2/LT (9 May 1940). During his Finnish service, Laurie Torni carried a Suomi KP/-31 9mm submachine gun. Lt. Dr. Dabbs this was an great article, I thought that I was the only Casca fan, I started reading them in the early 80s! As Christ hangs dying on the cross some of his blood wipes across Cascas lips. Even before his death, Thorne's name was legendary in US Special Forces. In September 1965, the infiltration of reconnaissance teams into Laos, Codenamed: Shining Brass, was approved, but severe limitations by Washington restricted the teams to penetrate no deeper than 50 kilometers into Laos. Not that being put into a prison camp would stop him either. Guns, He escaped, made his way to the United States, and with the help of Wild Bill Donovan became a citizen. Does anyone know how to get in touch with John Voter? Major Thorne, who entered the U.S. Army from Connecticut, served with Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. The second best result is Larry Edward Thorne age 60s in Auburn, AL. Trni's fate was finally confirmed, not by a DNA sample, but from his dental records. Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! Men who served with him believe that Larry is still alive. Click a location below to find Larry more easily. In 1942 Torni skied across an antipersonnel mine and was badly wounded. These teams earned a global reputation as one of the most combat effective deep-penetration forces ever raised. He later received a regular commission and was promoted to captain in 1960. His incredible path of true warrior started in Finland when he was born in 1919. 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