THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
NAVY CROSS
to
LIEUTENANT (JUNIOR GRADE)
JOHN WILLIAM THORNTON
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"As pilot of a helicopter ... in action against enemy aggressor
forces near Wonsan, Korea, on 31 March 1951 . . . Lieutenant
(Junior Grade) Thornton volunteered for the dangerous mission of
rescuing a key intelligence unit trapped on a high ridge behind
enemy lines. First to arrive at the scene, he daringly attempted a
landing on a small clearing atop the ridge and, although his craft
was wrecked during this intricate operation, quickly extricated him-
self and prepared to direct other helicopters as they arrived to
rescue the marooned personnel. Undaunted by the hail of small
arms fire from the fast converging hostile forces, he gallantly re-
fused to be evacuated and continued to direct the hovering heli-
copters as they hoisted three men into their aircraft and departed.
After requesting one of the rescue pilots to return to the area with
guns and ammunition, he was last seen firing his rifle at the enemy
besiegers. By his exceptional resourcefulness, he was directly
responsible for the safe evacuation of three men possessing vital
intelligence. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and self-
less devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant
(Junior Grade) Thornton and the United States Naval Service."

( ed: above content from his book, Believed to be Alive)