Michael Edwin Thornton (born March 23, 1949) is a retired United States Navy SEAL and recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Michael Thornton was one of only 15 U.S. Navy personnel, (three of them SEALs), who received the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions during the Vietnam War. He is also the only recipient in over a century to save the life of another Medal of Honor recipient – SEAL Lieutenant Thomas Norris – who had performed heroic, lifesaving actions ...

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Michael Edwin Thornton was presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during the Vietnam War.

Feb 2, 2022 · Michael Edwin Thornton was born in Greenville, South Carolina and raised on the family farm near Spartanburg. Thornton joined the Navy upon graduating from high school in 1967 and completed the rigorous training to join the SEALs, the Navy’s elite sea-air-land special operations force.

Jul 26, 2024 · Michael Edwin Thornton (born March 23, 1949) is a retired United States Navy SEAL and recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

In October 1972, with U.S. combat involvement in Vietnam almost at an end, Petty Officer Michael Thornton heroically rescued a fellow Navy SEAL. In doing so he became the first man to win the Medal of Honor for saving another recipient’s life and achieved legendary status within the frogman community.

thornton-michael. michael edwin thornton . rate/rank lt service branch. usn 00/1967 - 5/1992. born 03/23/1949. greenville, sc. edit this log print log print memories blue screen. significant duty stations. navy advisory group, republic of vietnam 10/31/1972.

Lieutenant Michael Edwin Thornton is a retired U.S. Navy officer and SEAL who is a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Vietnam War.

Petty Officer Thornton, as Assistant U.S. Navy Advisor, along with a U.S. Navy lieutenant serving as Senior Advisor, accompanied a three-man Vietnamese Navy SEAL patrol on an...

PO Thornton, as Assistant U.S. Navy Advisor, along with a U.S. Navy lieutenant serving as Senior Advisor, accompanied a 3-man Vietnamese Navy SEAL patrol on an intelligence gathering and prisoner capture operation against an enemy-occupied naval river base.