Thornton's determination saved fellow SEAL's life

A story that took place in 1972 in South Vietnam tells the tale of a real hero.

Michael Thornton was a Navy SEAL under the command of Lt. Norris. The war was winding down, and there were only 12 SEALs left in the country.

Thornton and Norris, along with a few South Vietnamese commandos, were given a mission to capture a North Vietnamese soldier for intelligence. They were taken by a South Vietnamese junk, then swam to shore, almost a mile away with full gear so as to not be detected.

They went into the jungle and ran into around 50 North Vietnamese soldiers, who opened fire on them, the battle lasted five hours as they were retreating. Thornton was hit by a grenade that cut through his leg. The unit had become separated, and Thornton was told that Norris had been shot and was most likely dead. But the SEAL mantra, "Leave no man behind" echoed in Thornton's head.

Despite his wounds, he made his way under enemy fire to find Norris. When he found him, he touched him and Norris moved — he wasn't dead. He picked him up and made his way toward the beach. Another explosion from an American destroyer offshore knocked them down.

Thornton picked up Norris and carried him on his back toward the beach as bullets tore past them, but another bullet tore through his other leg, yet somehow he kept going towards the beach, In the surf, he also found a wounded South Vietnamese commando. He dragged both men into the ocean and started swimming, dragging the wounded Norris and the other soldier.

All three had potentially mortal wounds. His efforts continued for two hours before help arrived and drug them aboard. Norris lived, and Oct. 15, 1973, both were called to the White House, where President Nixon awarded Thornton the Medal of Honor.

Roger Gregory is a Vietnam veteran and business owner in Priest River.