Leo Keith was born in Walnut Grove, Minnesota back in 1932. After high school, he attended South Dakota State College. At 19 he enlisted in the Air Force, receiving his wings with a pilot’s rating. In 1964, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Omaha and a Masters in Defense Systems Management from the University of Southern California.
He was sent to Takhli Royal Air Force Base in Thailand as an aircraft commander. If I wrote about his many engagements it would take several days so, if you have the chance please look him up to read about his time in Vietnam. Anyway, in 1967, just 7 days shy of completing his tour of duty he was shot down. For the next 6 years he was a POW, released in 1973. He retired the same year. He served this nation for 21 years achieving the rank of Colonel.
What you may not know about Leo Keith Thorsness is that he is but one of nine people earned the Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of American and the Congressional Medal of Honor. He died in 2017 at 85. Until tomorrow keep that smile on your face and a penny in your pocket.
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