Flew His A-10 Thunderbolt Through Heavy Anti-Aircraft Fire To Take Out Iraqi Position

In the early days of the Iraq war in 2003, as troops from the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment were advancing on Baghdad, they ran into some heavy resistance from Iraqi tanks and fighting vehicles dug in on the east side of the Tigris River.

Flying in an A-10 Thunderbolt, then Capt. Gregory Thornton saw the battle unfolding, and did what the airplane was designed to do. He flew through a blinding sandstorm and dodged heavy enemy fire to hit the target.

Thornton continued his career, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. On Friday, he was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for valor for his actions on April 6, 2003, according to a report from the Air Force times.

Thornton and his flight leader fought for 33 minutes, taking out three T-72 tanks, six armored personnel carriers, and several utility vehicles that were in striking distance of U.S. troops, according to the medal citation.

"This courageous and aggressive attack, while under withering fire and in poor weather, along with Captain Thornton's superior flying skills and true attack pilot grit, allowed Task Force 2-69 Armor to cross the Tigris River with minimal combat losses and successfully accomplish their objective of linking up with coalition forces completing the 360-degree encirclement of Baghdad. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Thornton has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

The award was presented to Thornton on Friday in a ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report