Page 86 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2024 - Online Magazine

Randy Thorne A Study in Courage and
orn on December 6, 1944, in
Rotan, Texas, Randy Thorne's
Blife was rooted in small-town
values, nurtured by his parents,
Melvin and Wynona Thorne. Little
did he know that his journey would
take him far from the quiet streets
of Rotan to the intense battlefields
of Vietnam, and then back to a
peaceful life in Lubbock with his
wife, Kay.
At the age of 22, Randy's life took a
dramatic turn. On October 20, 1966,
he was drafted into the U.S. Army,
thrust into a world far removed
from his Texas upbringing. After
months of rigorous training
and preparation, Randy found
himself on a flight to Vietnam,
his destination one of the most
contentious and perilous arenas of
the Cold War era.
May 20, 1967, marked Randy's first
day in Vietnam—a day that would
forever be etched in his memory.
As his chopper touched down
on a beach, it was immediately
under fire from snipers. The chaos
and danger of combat became a
stark reality as bullets whizzed
past, and the men scrambled for
cover. Despite the harrowing
circumstances, Randy and his
comrades displayed remarkable
courage and resilience. Their
86 Lubbock Senior Link
Resiliency
by Randa Gray and Lauren Parker
his 12-month tour. This testament
to Randy's courage and dedication
underscores the sacrifices made
by those who serve in the armed
forces.
In February 1968, amidst the rugged
Highlands of Vietnam, Randy faced
a pivotal moment of bravery and
selflessness. While navigating the
bravery on that first day earned perilous terrain, tragedy struck as
them the Combat Infantryman two soldiers walking point were
Badge (CIB), a symbol of their killed, and another was left critically
fortitude and valor under direct wounded and immobile.
enemy fire.
Recognizing the imminent danger,
Retreating from the snipers, they Randy swiftly assessed the situation
were taken by chopper and divided and acted with remarkable courage.
into platoons at another location. Without hesitation, he dashed into
The chopper dropped Thorne and harm's way, lifting the wounded
his platoon off at a cemetery where soldier onto his shoulders,
they were “horseshoe” ambushed. courageously carrying him down a
They were pinned in the graveyard treacherous hill to safety, where he
for three hours, during which 17 delivered him to the lieutenant.
were wounded, and three tragically
lost their lives. This harrowing Randy's extraordinary bravery and
experience underscored the intense selfless determination earned him
danger and sacrifice Randy Thorne the prestigious Commendation
and his comrades faced during their Medal with a V for Valor, a
service in Vietnam. testament to his unwavering
commitment to his fellow soldiers
In June 1967, Randy experienced and the mission at hand. His
another brush with death during courageous act stands as a shining
a patrol in the rice paddies of example of the bravery and
Vietnam. While walking point with camaraderie forged in the crucible
another soldier in the Duc Pho area, of war.
Randy was struck by a sniper's
bullet in his left leg. The severity Fourteen days before Randy
of the situation escalated when his was scheduled to return to the
comrade was also hit, sustaining United States, his platoon again
a head wound. Swift action by a encountered gunfire in the
chopper evacuated them to Tokyo, Highlands of Vietnam. During the
Japan, where they received crucial chaos, Randy inadvertently stepped
medical treatment. on a booby trap, initially mistaking
the impact for a gunshot to his leg.
After a period of rehabilitation However, upon realizing his toes
and the solemn honor of receiving were pointing backward and his
his first Purple Heart medal, heel forward, he knew his leg was
Randy's resilience shone through. severely broken.
Determined to complete his duty,
he returned to Vietnam to finish