Horace Marvin "Buddy" Thorne (September 29, 1918 – December 21, 1944) was a United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

—for his actions in World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

.

Biography

Born in Keansburg, New Jersey

Keansburg, New Jersey

Keansburg is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 10,105.Keansburg was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1917, from portions of both Middletown Township and Raritan Township ,...

, Thorne grew up on a 53 acre (0.21448358 km²) farm in nearby North Middletown

North Middletown, New Jersey

North Middletown is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Middletown Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. According to the 2010 United States Census, the CDP population was 3,295.-Geography:...

. He and his eight siblings attended Port Monmouth Elementary School and Leonardo High School.

Thorne joined the Army from Keyport, New Jersey

Keyport, New Jersey

Keyport is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,240. Keyport's nickname is the "Pearl of the Bayshore" or the "Gateway to the Bayshore"....

, and by December 21, 1944, was serving as a corporal in Troop D, 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Armored Division. On that day, near Grufflingen in Belgium

Belgium

Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, he voluntarily took up an exposed position on top of a destroyed tank in order to better fire on the German

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

 forces. He killed several Germans and scattered the crews of two enemy machine gun nests before being killed himself. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor nine months later, on September 19, 1945.

Thorne, aged 26 at his death, was originally buried in a Belgian forest. His remains were later returned home and interred at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown, New Jersey.

Thorne Middle School in Middletown was named in his honor in the 1960s; the school is home to a display which includes photographs of Thorne, his Medal of Honor, and the original award citation.

Medal of Honor citati

Corporal Thorne's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He was the leader of a combat patrol on 21 December 1944 near Grufflingen, Belgium, with the mission of driving German forces from dug-in positions in a heavily wooded area. As he advanced his light machinegun, a German Mark III

Mark III

Mark III or Mark 3 often refers to the third version of a product, frequently military hardware. "Mark", meaning "model" or "variant", can be abbreviated "Mk."Mark III or Mark 3 can specifically refer to:-In military and weaponry:...

 tank emerged from the enemy position and was quickly immobilized by fire from American light tanks supporting the patrol. Two of the enemy tankmen attempted to abandon their vehicle but were killed by Cpl. Thorne's shots before they could jump to the ground. To complete the destruction of the tank and its crew, Cpl. Thorne left his covered position and crept forward alone through intense machinegun fire until close enough to toss 2 grenades into the tank's open turret, killing 2 more Germans. He returned across the same fire-beaten zone as heavy mortar

Mortar (weapon)

A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....

 fire began falling in the area, seized his machinegun and, without help, dragged it to the knocked-out tank and set it up on the vehicle's rear deck. He fired short rapid bursts into the enemy positions from his advantageous but exposed location, killing or wounding 8. Two enemy machinegun crews abandoned their positions and retreated in confusion. His gun jammed; but rather than leave his self-chosen post he attempted to clear the stoppage; enemy small-arms fire, concentrated on the tank, killed him instantly. Cpl. Thorne, displaying heroic initiative and intrepid fighting qualities, inflicted costly casualties on the enemy and insured the success of his patrol's mission by the sacrifice of his life.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II