Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private First Class John F. Thorson was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on October 28, 1944 in Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company G, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. Thorson was 24 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 16, 1945.
Thorson was born on May 10, 1920 in Armstrong, Emmet County, Iowa. Thorson died on October 29, 1944 in Leyte, Philippine Islands, at the age of 24. He is buried at Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa.
Thorson is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 55 credited to Iowa.
Official Medal of Honor citation
He was an automatic rifleman on 28 October 1944, in the attack on Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands. A heavily fortified enemy position consisting of pillboxes and supporting trenches held up the advance of his company. His platoon was ordered to outflank and neutralize the strongpoint. Voluntarily moving well out in front of his group, Pvt. Thorson came upon an enemy fire trench defended by several hostile riflemen and, disregarding the intense fire directed at him, attacked singlehandedly. He was seriously wounded and fell about six yards from the trench. Just as the remaining 20 members of the platoon reached him, one of the enemy threw a grenade into their midst. Shouting a warning and making a final effort, Pvt. Thorson rolled onto the grenade and smothered the explosion with his body. He was instantly killed, but his magnificent courage and supreme self-sacrifice prevented the injury and possible death of his comrades and remain with them as a lasting inspiration.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
He was seriously wounded and fell about six yards from the trench.
- Awarded posthumously — died October 29, 1944.
- Age at death: 24
- Resting place: Keokuk National Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Timeline
- May 10, 1920Born in Armstrong, Emmet County, Iowa
- October 28, 1944Act of valor — Dagami, Leyte, Philippine IslandsAge 24. Company G, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division
- October 29, 1944Died in Leyte, Philippine IslandsAge 24.
- September 16, 1945Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeKeokuk National CemeteryKeokuk, Iowa
Biography
John F. Thorson (May 10, 1920 – October 28, 1944) was a United States Army infantry soldier who was killed in action on October 28, 1944, in World War II. He was a posthumous recipient of the United States military's highest decoration for valor—the Medal of Honor—for his heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty during the war.
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