Published: April 11, 2008 05:25 pm            

Flashpoint: Tribute from war zone to real American hero

I just returned from one of my first missions “outside the wire” and got word via e-mail about the death of Jack Thornton. The unwelcome tidings came as a real shock to me. I have been a little busy what with the war and all, but I feel the need to express my thoughts and feelings from a war far away concerning the passing of a real American hero.

I have known Jack since I was a young boy, but it has only been in recent years that I was able to develop a closer and comradely relationship with him. After my return from service in the Afghanistan War, Jack and I began to share lunches and visits to veterans meetings. He was a real source of inspiration to me and my family as I struggled to re-adapt to civilian life. With my re-call to active duty in the Iraq War, Jack once again was a gentleman, a fellow veteran, and a friend who shared advice and his personal experiences that helped me and my family prepare for another tour of duty in a war zone.

With his passing, Terre Haute has lost a true hometown hero, and America has lost another member of the Greatest Generation who showed the tremendous self-sacrifice and extraordinary courage that lead to the defeat of Fascism in Europe and Japanese militaristic imperialism in the Pacific. Jack was a one-of-kind, larger than life warrior and patriot. Big, gruff, warm-hearted, and loyal to a fault, Jack lived a lifetime of adventure and accomplishments. A proud father to a wonderful family, Jack was an energetic and dynamic member of the local business community.

But I will always remember him from two photos that he gave me. One is of Jack as a young Navy pilot trainee, with a big, endearing grin on his face and his cap at a jaunty tilt. The second is that of Jack upon his return home from the South Pacific, a United States Marine Corps captain, decorated for his combat service over the deadly skies of the Solomon Islands. In that picture, Jack’s face is somber and older, and bears the imprint of a man who has seen war and faced death on a regular basis.

Jack Thornton is a man to whom our city, state, and nation bears an eternal debt of gratitude. He fought the Japanese Army Air Force in mortal combat, and emerged victorious. He survived countless horrific engagements, including the loss to enemy fire of one of his beloved Corsair fighters. Shot down over the notorious “Slot”, he drifted in Japanese infested waters until rescued by U.S. forces.

But Jack also remembered those moments of humor that those of us who have served in war know and understand. I will never forget his story about the time he and a fellow Marine at Guadalcanal “procured” fresh eggs from the Navy so that his Marine comrades could have a decent breakfast at the “expense” of the Navy. I jokingly assured Jack that whatever violation of military law he might have committed, the statute of limitations had long since run out. We both agreed, however, that the Navy was probably still looking for the eggs.

Prior to my departure for Iraq, Jack was kind enough to spend an afternoon with me and my youngest son Wyatt. Jack talked to my boy about his many experiences in World War II, and showed real patience and kindness as he indulged my son’s many questions. And he talked to Wyatt not as a braggart, but with the humble confidence of a Marine who had pride of service and love for his shipmates.

I was able to make a phone call to Jack just before I shipped out from Fort Stewart for Iraq. Jack was his old self, and really boosted my morale as he reminded me of all the support the troops have back at home. He encouraged me one more time as an old Marine to “give’em hell for us!” We planned a get-together as soon as I got home from the war. I did not think that the conversation with him would be my last.

In my many deployments overseas in military service, I have learned that the death of a love one or friend at home can create a sense of isolation and frustration. I wish I could be home to attend his final service. But I can only express to his wife Peggy and to John, Meg, Matt, Betsy, and all family and friends my sincere condolences and profound sense of loss.

And so, from 10,000 miles away, from the war zone of Iraq, I render a final salute to Col. Jack Thornton, United States Marine Corps.

Semper Fi, Jack!

Carry on!

— Major Hal Johnston

76th Infantry Brigade

Combat Team

LSA Anaconda

Iraq

        

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