[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL LEO THORSNESS

  (Mr. BROOKS of Alabama asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the story of 
a courageous Congressional Medal of Honor recipient living in Alabama's 
Fifth Congressional District.
  Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Leo Thorsness was on a mission over North 
Vietnam when he lost his wingman. As the crew members parachuted to the 
ground, Colonel Thorsness destroyed a MIG-17 that was threatening their 
safety. Low on fuel, Colonel Thorsness went in search of a refueling 
tanker, but upon hearing that the downed men were again threatened--
this time by four MIGs--he immediately returned to their aid. Low on 
fuel and perilously close to crashing himself, Colonel Thorsness 
attacked the four MIGs, damaging one, driving them away, and saving the 
downed men and their rescuers. Then he flew further afield to refuel, 
aiding another plane that needed the emergency fueling station.
  Lieutenant Colonel Thorsness' extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice, 
and personal bravery saved many lives, and our Nation is forever 
grateful for his service.

                          ____________________