I was serving onboard the USS Newport News ca 148 during Vietnam tour in 1972. On Oct 31 a seal team was brought onboard with wounded personnel as there was a Med Officer onboard, not known at the time who they were, one with head wound. Never knew until yr's later it was Michael Thornton and Tom Norris. Welcome Home Gentlemen, Glad you made it! I was a 18y/o kid now close to 71, some things you just don't forget.
Not many men made like this one anymore. My father was army and returned home. My wife's father was an AF pilot buy did not make it home as he was shot down - couldn't eject but did get his backseat out safely(he did get home). Thank you to all who served our country!
My Neighbor was in the Marines in the 60s. I asked him who he thought were the badasses. He told me the hardest thing he did was go through British Royal Marine Commando school. I said so you didn't make it? He said no Color SgtMaj gave me my badge and sikes Bain.
This man is of the finest example of what America truly is.We all should respect and appreciate his fine service and dedication.I for one am very proud to be a part of a country that provides men like Mike and tommy.
Then, Lt Thornton was a speaker at my ship’s commissioning in Little Creek. I met him briefly before the ceremony. He exudes heroism with his presence. Very intense but humble officer.
Guarantee he knew my Company Comander in boot camp. QMC Keith Bohannon. The man is a unit. Changed my entire outlook on life in two weeks and its lasted 50+ years. Men like these are so very few and far between. Thank you sir!!!
I met Mike in 1976. I have no idea why he was in GLAKES, but it was a blessing. We met every night for about 6 weeks for beer & dinner at the Acey/Duecy club. One helluva man. They govt was going to send a few 6 man EOD teams to Nicaragua for a mission. At one of our first intel briefings, the powers that be had decided we’d go in unarmed. I argued until I was blue in the face, including a recent ambush of USAF personnel on a military bus. Of course the USAF guys we unarmed. Mike worked at a non-SEAL command a stones throw from our command. I went and told Mike what was going on. He was red faced. We were both LT at the time. I have no idea who Mike knew, but less than 10 days later we got the go ahead AND we would be armed. Bravo Zulu, Mike.
you elevate people who were part of an illegal invasion by the usa in which millions of people were killed for no other reason than to kill people--what is the honor in that? vietnam,like Iraq,Libya,Afghanistan and lots of other countries were never a threat to the usa,none,zero but we invaded,kill millions--->war crimes
That’s awesome! Lt Thornton is definitely a man among men! A great generation of men and women fought in Vietnam! It’s a national black eye on this country on how veterans were treated when they returned home! I know it’s nowhere near enough but THANK YOU for your service!!
Thanks for your service and your story. My father was on a destroyer in ww2 as a sonar man and had volunteered for the scouts and raiders and was training in fort pierce Florida when president Truman dropped the bomb.
I never heard you tell the story. Thanks for being my Proctor. Between you and Doc Johnson I had two great mentors. What a story. Joe Bell Class 92 the Chosen Few.
Mike and Tommy are the mates who have true honor and dedication to one another. They both put themselves in line of fire for each other and their other team members. The character of what we love about the SEAL teams. Not the Hollywood money grabbing attention seekers that some of the modern SEAL members are today.
I had the distinct honor and privilege of meeting Mike Thornton and Thomas Norris at President George W. Bush's, Medal of Honor Society Inaugural Ball in 2005. Suffice it to say, I was in awe and completely entertained watching these two warriors still able to smoothly "operate" while they met the several lovely women in our company that evening. Great Americans!
Amazing grace. How sweet it is Michael. Good to see you buddy. So proud of you. We were in the Navy the same time; for a few yrs. I was in Cubi Point, RP ''87-91. Ran a Patrol Boat. Did some training with the SEALs there. I'm not sure if you were stationed in Subic Bay. There was a Team there. I believe it was Six. See yeah Buddy! Love you. God Bless. BM2 Michael L. Reidy
you elevate people who were part of an illegal invasion by the usa in which millions of people were killed for no other reason than to kill people--what is the honor in that? vietnam,like Iraq,Libya,Afghanistan and lots of other countries were never a threat to the usa,none,zero but we invaded,kill millions--->war crimes
My Uncle, Glenn Ross Urquhart Jr..Marines 1-7....KIA 2-5-69,Da Nang Vietnam, received the MILITARY MERET MEDAL from South Vietnam, basically MOH from them, Only 22 Americans got that medal...S.Vietnam soldiers had to be in 13 yrs min.and the act had to be witnessed by 3 or more and at least one had to be a captain...Glenn smoothered a pop mortar saved the squad point that was escorting a S.Vietnam team to a comm area...God Bless you All...Amen.
I had the honor of working for then LT Thornton when he was First Lieutenant aboard USS Edenton for a short time during the mid-80s. I was a BM2 then. It was the high point of my 11 yrs in the Navy.
Absolutely incredable what a person can do. Wounded numerous time's & in the water 3 hour's helping other wounded. I wish I were half this tough. "The respect of your men is the greatest reward of all." Well said. This is why few can be Navy SEAL'S, Special Forces or other elite combat arms folks. I've always looked up to with great respect any combat arms folks but especially the most elite like this gentleman. Just an absolutely outstanding American. Gunny, USMC, Retired .
Thoroughly enjoyed By Honor Bound , and I'm very appreciative to have been notified that this interview of Mr. Thornton was being posted. Great way to start my morning!
Thornton's testimony is unforgettable. I think of what he did as an incredible feat of strength, endurance, determination, loyalty. I don't know what I think about the larger conflict but for a human being, he is undeniably as close to superhuman as I think exists. He belongs at the top level of all the greatest acts we know of from war and in other dramatic contexts. If life and freedom and wellbeing are what we want for all then I don't want to fail to acknowledge the people that were injured and died on both sides of this situation in which Thornton performed his incredible acts.
What bravery! You should look up my friend Joseph Robert (Bob) Kerrey. When I met him and didn’t know he was a metal of honor winner. Until someone else mentioned it. When I asked him about it, he very humbly admitted it. One of the finest men, I know.
I spent a week with Mike and Tommy Norris... and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life... it was at a remote hunting lodge... there were only 5 of us out there and I got see them as themselves... no matter the conversation, no matter the activity...chow time, coffee time... no matter what, Mike's attention was on Tommy... their devotion to each other was really the only thing in the room... Mike is a huge guy with a menacing energy but when it came to Tommy he was like a younger brother looking up to his smaller brother... I can't really explain it... their love for each other is beyond words
I got meet Mike at a funeral for my girlfriends dad Sylvester Herrera. He is a great guy a d I was proud to meet him. Thx Mike. Tony ValdeZ. Spec 4 US ARMY
Mike lives not far from me here in SC. What wasn't mentioned was that Dick Marcinko recruited Mike to help him create the Naval Warfare Special Development Group (DEVGRU) aka SEAL Team 6.
I would say even being a Marine veteran I would most certainly go to war with this Thornton He is a great figure to look up to Thanks Mike from Mike of the USMC
Just breathtaking courage and dedication to his fellow soldier. Wow. Mr. Thorton and his friend, Mr. Norris are true American's right there. I am glad to see you both made it through. What an incredible true-life story.
The new generations have fewer and fewer men like Mike and Tom.What these 2 men did for all their brothers including their VIETNAMESE Operators is straight up '''UNCOMMON VALOR''.
I met Mike at the 10 Foot Stop (rem Velda?) in Panama City while going through NAVY Dive School. Once graduating I was stationed at MDSU-2 while Mike was there leading the Dive School. This man is driven for success and I can remember him going out in front of the students in the lagoon, in his UDT’s, breaking the ice before him so the students could swim their laps in the Little Creek lagoon where MDSU-2 was stationed hollering to get in the water. He said a lot but kept repeating its mind over matter. Quite impressionable. Next time, have Mike talk about the vessel recovery job he was involved in in the Gulf and why he locked himself in the med locker.
I've got this dudes SEAL Card. I'm looking to trade for the Ranger Gold Edition of Dan Crow. it's got the home stats, the regimental thing and last deployment. It came in the deck with the Teams all buffed out...
These are the true teachers 😊. God bless all you warriors. I can't thank each and everyone of you enough for your courage and devotion to this country and the men that overcame their fears and performed like true warriors.. It made my eyes sweat hearing this story.. You all rock!! Your the best without a doubt !!! Adrenaline junkies!! They say it's that adrenaline that keeps you standing after being shot . Your mind is so busy living what you'd been taught, you didn't have time to think about your wounds. If you got a hole in you, you plug the hole with something and keep moving.. To bad those that always benefit from wars never get a chance to experience one.. God be with all of you phenomenal people. I hope one day soon you finally get everything you deserve, and 100 times more.. It truly saddens me today to only be able to say Thank you to all of you awesome individuals. THANK YOU 🇺🇸🇺🇸🏆🎯💯💪💪💪✔️
I've heard when he carried the M60 he would have a combat load out of 1000 linked 7.62 rounds. If you have ever held a 200 round belt of 7.62 then you know how heavy it is. No imagine 4 more belts added to that. And that was his minimum combat load. Not counting the frags willypete and other gear he carried. This man is a true hero. We need more MEN like this nowadays.
I was serving onboard the USS Newport News ca 148 during Vietnam tour in 1972. On Oct 31 a seal team was brought onboard with wounded personnel as there was a Med Officer onboard, not known at the time who they were, one with head wound. Never knew until yr's later it was Michael Thornton and Tom Norris. Welcome Home Gentlemen, Glad you made it! I was a 18y/o kid now close to 71, some things you just don't forget.
Amazing, thank you for your comment!
They are absolutely the best of the best. Incredible men.
@@USAWarriorStories great video
@@USAWarriorStoriesGreat interview
Sincerest Thank You for this Video.. God Bless America!
Finest example of what real men should aspire to be like. Respect Sir !
This guy is a badass. There's no other way to put it.
Not many men made like this one anymore. My father was army and returned home. My wife's father was an AF pilot buy did not make it home as he was shot down - couldn't eject but did get his backseat out safely(he did get home). Thank you to all who served our country!
I was a British army commando and went to the Navy SEAL Museum about 18 months ago. Massive respect to all of you guys and what you did
My Neighbor was in the Marines in the 60s. I asked him who he thought were the badasses. He told me the hardest thing he did was go through British Royal Marine Commando school. I said so you didn't make it? He said no Color SgtMaj gave me my badge and sikes Bain.
This guy is such a freaking humble hero. May God bless this man and his family.
This man is of the finest example of what America truly is.We all should respect and appreciate his fine service and dedication.I for one am very proud to be a part of a country that provides men like Mike and tommy.
😂😂 what is America? A racist hypocrite country that had no business in Vietnam?
Then, Lt Thornton was a speaker at my ship’s commissioning in Little Creek. I met him briefly before the ceremony. He exudes heroism with his presence. Very intense but humble officer.
I like This Dewd! # Good Job
Guarantee he knew my Company Comander in boot camp. QMC Keith Bohannon. The man is a unit. Changed my entire outlook on life in two weeks and its lasted 50+ years. Men like these are so very few and far between. Thank you sir!!!
Your a great patriot and this country owes everything
I met Mike in 1976. I have no idea why he was in GLAKES, but it was a blessing. We met every night for about 6 weeks for beer & dinner at the Acey/Duecy club.
One helluva man.
They govt was going to send a few 6 man EOD teams to Nicaragua for a mission. At one of our first intel briefings, the powers that be had decided we’d go in unarmed. I argued until I was blue in the face, including a recent ambush of USAF personnel on a military bus. Of course the USAF guys we unarmed.
Mike worked at a non-SEAL command a stones throw from our command. I went and told Mike what was going on. He was red faced. We were both LT at the time. I have no idea who Mike knew, but less than 10 days later we got the go ahead AND we would be armed.
Bravo Zulu, Mike.
Wow , cool story , thanks 👍!!!......
Our EOD officer was a former member of UDT team 11 and Seal Team 1 during Vietnam. Incredible men. Glad I served with them
One tough, honorable, and true hero.
Mouth shut. Eyes and ears open. Wow. Thank you forever Sir.
Thanks for your service! Everyone please remember the ones that didn’t make it back home!!! Thanks
My diving officer and my running mate. 83-84 Hoo -Yah Mike!
Totally one of the best presentations I have ever seen. True hero's.
OUTSTANDING. A grateful Nation thanks you for your selfless devotion to your Brothers in Arms.
Wow what a story. Michael E. Thornton and all the brave men that have gave themselves for this great country. Thank you for making us all proud.
you elevate people who were part of an illegal invasion by the usa in which millions of people were killed for no other reason than to kill people--what is the honor in that? vietnam,like Iraq,Libya,Afghanistan and lots of other countries were never a threat to the usa,none,zero but we invaded,kill millions--->war crimes
That’s awesome! Lt Thornton is definitely a man among men! A great generation of men and women fought in Vietnam! It’s a national black eye on this country on how veterans were treated when they returned home! I know it’s nowhere near enough but THANK YOU for your service!!
Honor, courage, love of country and more than all, love of your brothers. ❤❤❤
Thanks for your service and your story. My father was on a destroyer in ww2 as a sonar man and had volunteered for the scouts and raiders and was training in fort pierce Florida when president Truman dropped the bomb.
ican watch this over and over for sure your the bravest of the brave
I never heard you tell the story. Thanks for being my Proctor. Between you and Doc Johnson I had two great mentors. What a story. Joe Bell Class 92 the Chosen Few.
Im in AWE of your sacrifice and bravery. Thank you Sir
fathers of Veitnam our wars 1967-1974 to you thank you brothers of Veitnam
Worked with him for a short time at Gallery Furniture in Houston, TX.
Good guy to be around.
Mattress Mack is a local hero too!
@@TheGravitywerks
That he is.
Thank you for your Service! This is a outstanding series!! Important these men's stories are recorded and told.
Holding a Stoner M63A automatically qualifies one for the Medal of Honor.
Mike and Tommy are the mates who have true honor and dedication to one another. They both put themselves in line of fire for each other and their other team members. The character of what we love about the SEAL teams. Not the Hollywood money grabbing attention seekers that some of the modern SEAL members are today.
If there is such a thing as the GOAT SEAL, Thornton is that man! Salute!!
Brother you deserve the very best ,a great warrior and a humble man God bless
I had the distinct honor and privilege of meeting Mike Thornton and Thomas Norris at President George W. Bush's, Medal of Honor Society Inaugural Ball in 2005. Suffice it to say, I was in awe and completely entertained watching these two warriors still able to smoothly "operate" while they met the several lovely women in our company that evening. Great Americans!
Fabulous man.
Legendary human 💪🇺🇲 bulletproof and a machine
Amazing grace. How sweet it is Michael. Good to see you buddy. So proud of you. We were in the Navy the same time; for a few yrs. I was in Cubi Point, RP ''87-91. Ran a Patrol Boat. Did some training with the SEALs there. I'm not sure if you were stationed in Subic Bay. There was a Team there. I believe it was Six. See yeah Buddy! Love you. God Bless.
BM2 Michael L. Reidy
This story is the yard stick from which any Medal of Honor should be awarded. I have never heard another story that comes close to his.
you elevate people who were part of an illegal invasion by the usa in which millions of people were killed for no other reason than to kill people--what is the honor in that? vietnam,like Iraq,Libya,Afghanistan and lots of other countries were never a threat to the usa,none,zero but we invaded,kill millions--->war crimes
Check out Llewellyn Chilson and his actions in Germany on April 25, 1945. I think you’ll be impressed
Amen@@acidsurfers
Check out Roy Benivedez Special Forces that was a good one!!
@@joesix5609 Exactly! Tango Mike Mike
My Uncle, Glenn Ross Urquhart Jr..Marines 1-7....KIA 2-5-69,Da Nang Vietnam, received the MILITARY MERET MEDAL from South Vietnam, basically MOH from them, Only 22 Americans got that medal...S.Vietnam soldiers had to be in 13 yrs min.and the act had to be witnessed by 3 or more and at least one had to be a captain...Glenn smoothered a pop mortar saved the squad point that was escorting a S.Vietnam team to a comm area...God Bless you All...Amen.
Mr. Thornton is a true hero. A real man.
I had the honor of working for then LT Thornton when he was First Lieutenant aboard USS Edenton for a short time during the mid-80s. I was a BM2 then. It was the high point of my 11 yrs in the Navy.
All I can say is God sure knows what He's Doing...Big Mike Thornton and Tommy..A,Team...Thank you Guys God has blessed our Warriors
Thank You for Your Sacrifices and You Service.
Great Hero. Salute 😊👍
Very practical, straight forward guy. Good presentation, hes the real thing
Absolutely incredable what a person can do. Wounded numerous time's & in the water 3 hour's helping other wounded. I wish I were half this tough. "The respect of your men is the greatest reward of all." Well said.
This is why few can be Navy SEAL'S, Special Forces or other elite combat arms folks. I've always looked up to with great respect any combat arms folks but especially the most elite like this gentleman. Just an absolutely outstanding American. Gunny, USMC, Retired
.
‼️🇺🇲 THANK YOU SIR 🙏
Thoroughly enjoyed By Honor Bound , and I'm very appreciative to have been notified that this interview of Mr. Thornton was being posted. Great way to start my morning!
Thank you both for your service! GO NAVY!
A real man. Very inspiring.
The real deal !!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you
Thornton's testimony is unforgettable. I think of what he did as an incredible feat of strength, endurance, determination, loyalty. I don't know what I think about the larger conflict but for a human being, he is undeniably as close to superhuman as I think exists. He belongs at the top level of all the greatest acts we know of from war and in other dramatic contexts.
If life and freedom and wellbeing are what we want for all then I don't want to fail to acknowledge the people that were injured and died on both sides of this situation in which Thornton performed his incredible acts.
What bravery! You should look up my friend Joseph Robert (Bob) Kerrey. When I met him and didn’t know he was a metal of honor winner. Until someone else mentioned it. When I asked him about it, he very humbly admitted it. One of the finest men, I know.
God bless you heroes🇺🇸🙏🏽
Bravo 👏🏼 Sir thank you for your service 🫡
Thanks so very much sir
Wow. The real deal. From this humble Army vet...much respect. Thank you gentlemen.
Better than any Hollywood movie
Robert Deniro & $ly $talone could PRETEND to do this sort off thing......
@@jafo766 Well they make movies. Ofcourse they will pretend. That is what movies do. No one said Rambo was real.
@@drn13355 Dinky Dow Pretender'$
@@jafo766 the hell are you talkin about
@@Djzommer1 Read it S L O W L Y there BIG DONK
Outstanding show Thanks.
Impressive individual for sure.
God bless you Mike.
I spent a week with Mike and Tommy Norris... and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life... it was at a remote hunting lodge... there were only 5 of us out there and I got see them as themselves... no matter the conversation, no matter the activity...chow time, coffee time... no matter what, Mike's attention was on Tommy... their devotion to each other was really the only thing in the room... Mike is a huge guy with a menacing energy but when it came to Tommy he was like a younger brother looking up to his smaller brother... I can't really explain it... their love for each other is beyond words
one Canadian soldier from Montreal Robert Sweeney in the Us Navy won two congressional medals of Honour in1881 and 1883 for his acts of bravery
He was a black man from Montserrat, however he was buried in Calgary.
Met this frogman a few times at seal gatherings at little creek. Loved to salute a moh
I got meet Mike at a funeral for my girlfriends dad Sylvester Herrera. He is a great guy a d I was proud to meet him. Thx Mike. Tony ValdeZ. Spec 4 US ARMY
Mike lives not far from me here in SC. What wasn't mentioned was that Dick Marcinko recruited Mike to help him create the Naval Warfare Special Development Group (DEVGRU) aka SEAL Team 6.
Dangerous Dick always knew who the best were. The Man was a Bull in a china shop!
Hold on now....I live in Aiken, sc. Where are yall at, Greenville? I've got the Medal of Honor book sitting on my coffee table.
A true hero! Thank you for your service Sir.
The epitome of a hero!
Unbelievable man.
Incredible story What heroic men these where and still are to this day ✊ 🫡
This man is the real John Wayne . And more an American hero . Loves his country, and will defined her to the end of the earth .
I would say even being a Marine veteran I would most certainly go to war with this Thornton He is a great figure to look up to Thanks Mike from Mike of the USMC
Just breathtaking courage and dedication to his fellow soldier. Wow. Mr. Thorton and his friend, Mr. Norris are true American's right there. I am glad to see you both made it through. What an incredible true-life story.
Wow! Praise the Lord for guys like Mike!
God Bless you sir! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
An American bad ass, patriots should be proud of men like him, few and far between to be sure.
IMPRESSIVE IS THE DESCRIPTION OF ALL FIGHTING ON BEHALF OF FREEDOM
Absolutely incredible, WOW
Thank you, Mike.
God bless you.
As an Infantryman (11B) and Iraq War Veteran. Let me just say. We warriors are a different breed. This man is the best of the warrior class. Love him.
And we love and cherish vets like "you" as well !!!.......😊
This should have been Part One, I’m sure there is a whole lot more to this project. 😅😅
Thanks Mike....
23:55, no sir, you saved Tommy's life. The doc helped keep him alive.
Wow. What a bad ass. Thank you for your sacrifices for our great nation sir.
The new generations have fewer and fewer men like Mike and Tom.What these 2 men did for all their brothers including their VIETNAMESE Operators is straight up '''UNCOMMON VALOR''.
God bless those men, talk about guts!
I met Mike at the 10 Foot Stop (rem Velda?) in Panama City while going through NAVY Dive School. Once graduating I was stationed at MDSU-2 while Mike was there leading the Dive School. This man is driven for success and I can remember him going out in front of the students in the lagoon, in his UDT’s, breaking the ice before him so the students could swim their laps in the Little Creek lagoon where MDSU-2 was stationed hollering to get in the water. He said a lot but kept repeating its mind over matter. Quite impressionable.
Next time, have Mike talk about the vessel recovery job he was involved in in the Gulf and why he locked himself in the med locker.
God Bless our warriors
I've got this dudes SEAL Card. I'm looking to trade for the Ranger Gold Edition of Dan Crow. it's got the home stats, the regimental thing and last deployment. It came in the deck with the Teams all buffed out...
Welcome Home, Sir, Welcome Home.
Absolute true hero and major inspiration thank you for your service sir !
These are the true teachers 😊. God bless all you warriors.
I can't thank each and everyone of you enough for your courage and devotion to this country and the men that overcame their fears and performed like true warriors.. It made my eyes sweat hearing this story.. You all rock!!
Your the best without a doubt !!!
Adrenaline junkies!! They say it's that adrenaline that keeps you standing after being shot . Your mind is so busy living what you'd been taught, you didn't have time to think about your wounds.
If you got a hole in you, you plug the hole with something and keep moving..
To bad those that always benefit from wars never get a chance to experience one.. God be with all of you phenomenal people. I hope one day soon you finally get everything you deserve, and 100 times more..
It truly saddens me today to only be able to say Thank you to all of you awesome individuals.
THANK YOU 🇺🇸🇺🇸🏆🎯💯💪💪💪✔️
WOW!!!!! Amazing man. Thank you sir.
True heroes.
Is that a “Stoner 63”, nice one, Bub??? I would have to go with the RPD, myself!!! Harder hitting round, in a Jungle, you’ll need it!!!
Michael Thornton was in my new LDO/CWO class at Pensacola Naval Air Station in the summer of 1983.
BRILLIANT MAN . wish had your courage sir
I've heard when he carried the M60 he would have a combat load out of 1000 linked 7.62 rounds. If you have ever held a 200 round belt of 7.62 then you know how heavy it is. No imagine 4 more belts added to that. And that was his minimum combat load. Not counting the frags willypete and other gear he carried. This man is a true hero. We need more MEN like this nowadays.
Real man. Amazing man.
RESPECT!!