- SURNAME
Thornton
- FORENAME
Francis F.,Jr (Frank)
- UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 2
- RANK
Boatswains Mate First Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1969
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Boatswain's Mate First Class Francis F. Thornton, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with SEAL Team TWO, Detachment "A" in Long An Province, Republic of Vietnam on 7 August 1969. Petty Officer Thornton, as patrol leader of an eight-man combat patrol which was taken under heavy enemy fire while attempting to penetrate a high-level Viet Cong Headquarters Conference, courageously risked his life while leaping in front of a seriously wounded man and killing the Viet Cong aggressor directly in front of him. While still under heavy fire, he carried the injured man to an open area for evacuation. Again hit by heavy automatic weapons fire from an enemy bunker, Petty Officer Thornton, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, assaulted the bunker with small arms and hand grenades, resulting in three Viet Cong dead and one captured. By his daring and courageous actions in the face of great personal danger, Petty Officer Thornton upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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