Endowed chair honors Vietnam War Medal-of-Honor winner

The University has established an endowed chair of leadership studies in honor of Col. Leo K. Thorsness, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military heroism. Thorsness, of Saddlebrooke, Ariz., is a former Air Force pilot who was shot down over Vietnam and survived six years in a North Vietnamese prison camp.

On a mission over North Vietnam on April 19, 1967, Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced two surfaceto- air missile sites. In the attack on the second site, however, his wingman was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, and the two crew members parachuted from the plane. Thorsness kept them in sight, relaying their position to the Search and Rescue Center.

After shooting down a MiG-17, Thorsness was forced to leave the area because his plane was critically low on fuel. However, learning of other MiGs threatening the rescue helicopters, Thorsness, despite his fuel problem, decided to return alone through the hostile environment. Spying four MiGs, he shot one down and drove the others away before finally maneuvering his almost-empty-of-fuel aircraft to the safety of a forward operating base. As he was landing, the plane’s engine ran out of fuel and shut down. Eleven days after the experience, he was shot down on his 93rd mission and taken prisoner of war.

President Nixon awarded him the Medal of Honor on Oct. 15, 1973.

The University hosted a private dinner in honor of Thorsness and the creation of the Colonel Leo K. and Gaylee Thorsness Chair in Ethical Leadership at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies.

“Col. Thorsness and his wife, Gaylee, have led lives of unselfish service to others, the kinds of lives we hope our students will lead,” said Jepson Dean Kenneth B. Ruscio.

“We are honored to have this association with two individuals who personify so many of the highest ideals of the Jepson School. The establishment of this endowed chair means that generations of students will graduate from the University with a greater awareness of why ethics is the cornerstone of leadership.”

RICHMOND MATTERS