Larry A Thorne originally known as Lauri Törni before he anglicised his name after he immigrated. Fought in the Winter War, Continuation War and War on the Eastern Front died serving in the Vietnam War in US Army Special Forces. I found his name on the Wall while visiting in DC over the weekend. He’s also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

19 comments
  1. Törni was a man who loved to fight. His life story was crazy, highly recommend reading his Biography .

  2. Weird/crazy guy. At one point he got injured (by own mine, during self-willed mission to capture enemies because there was promise of extras holiday for captured enemies) and was transferred to military hospital. He was allowed on leave to recover. He didn’t however return to hospital within deadline. So the hospital informed his unit he was missing. The unit responded that Törni has been in front line for a good time already. So he escaped from a holiday to fight.

    Later he joined Nazi SS forces first to prepare for possibly resistance during USSR occupation in Finland, but probably fought against Soviets. He walked away from British prison camp, returned to Finland and was convicted on treason.

    Later he moved to US (jumped from a ship, swam to shoreline and lived 3 years as an illegal alien), cut of his SS tattoo with knife, and got recruited in US army at 35 years and was lost in Vietnam 10 years later. Helicopter he was in was found in 1999, and funerals were held in 2003.

    There is eg Thorne Plaza at [one military base in US](https://www.fortcarsonmountaineer.com/2021/08/10sfg-greets-new-leader/). Given that he belonged to SS at one point, that’s kind of accomplishment.

    He can be seen on this film: https://youtu.be/yv04zcD7hlo?t=168

  3. The Green Berets by Robin Moore has an interesting story about Thorne where he mines his own base in case the Vietnamese on their side turn on them.

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