Thorburn, John A.
John Andrew Thorburn, SSgt., USAF
August 26, 1946 – January 07, 2010
THORBURN – John Andrew, Staff Sergeant, of Port Jefferson died suddenly on January 7th, 2010.
Amazingly loving husband of Dee, proud and cherished father of Lisa Clancy, R.A. the Rugged Man, Dee Dee, Johnny O, Maxx and Niki Lee, devoted grandfather to Jessie Jayne and Vincent, loving father-in-law of Jay, favorite brother to JoAnn, Joyce and Bobbie Jo, best “Unk” to many nieces and nephews.
Our hero was a member of the Army, 101st Airborne, Screaming Eagles and Air Force and issued the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross (Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Metal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force and US Army Good Conduct Medals, US Army Silver Wings Air Force Crew Member Wings and Recently received the Conspicuous Service Cross by John F. Flanagan to honor and pay tribute to his true heroism. And lastly his proud ownership of the Lamp Post Neighborhood Magazine.
Friends come visit Monday and Tuesday at O.B. Davis, 4839 Nesconset Highway, PJS, 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Service at O.B. Davis Wednesday 11:00am followed by internment at Calverton National Cemetery
Uncommon Valor:
A Vietnam Story
Staff Sgt. John Andrew Thorburn (August 26, 1946 in St. Albans, Queens – January 7, 2010 in Port Jefferson, New York) was an American war Veteran who served in the United States Army and the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Thorburn received several medals for his service. He was with the 101st Airborne Division (The “Screaming Eagles”). He was later assigned with the Green Berets into the 10th Special Forces Group.
On March 14, 1970, Thorburn was on a mission from the Ban Me Thuot East Airfield in South Vietnam aboard a UH-1P “Green Hornet” Huey helicopter with the 20th Special Operations Squadron, when the chopper was shot down near the Duc Lap Special Forces Camp by enemy fire which resulted in Captain Dana A. Dilley’s death and three wounded soldiers, including Thorburn. An Army helicopter retrieved the soldiers and took them to Cam Ranh Air Base.[8] Thorburn was later discharged following injuries he received.
Staff Sergeant Thorburn was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross by New York State Senator John J. Flanagan for his accomplishments in the Vietnam War. He also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with two Oak leaf Clusters, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the National Defense Service Medal, the United States and Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Crew Member Wings, the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the United States Army Silver Wings.
Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned
©2023 USAF Rotorheads All Rights Reserved | Financial Statement