Glen Thornton
Long time Royal Oak resident, Glen Thornton, flew 30 missions
over Europe as a B-17 Navigator in WWII. When he returned to the
United States he finished his service learning radar for the B-29. This
training marked him for another war.
During the Korean conflict he was called up to be a Radar Officer on
B-29's flying out of Okinawa. On his 30th mission over North Korea,
his plane was severely damaged by a MIG. Glen had an artery in his
arm severed by a bullet. The B-29 was leaking fuel so the pilot
headed for South Korea and landed in friendly territory. Glen was
taken to Japan for treatment and recovery, and his first child was born
while he was hospitalized. Upon his recovery he was transferred to
Okinawa for further flight duty. The doctor on Okinawa said he was
very pleased with his recovery, and then paused. He said, "Glen, you
have 30 in WWII and 30 in Korea, and you have a family"? Glen
confirmed. The doctor said, "Glen, that arm doesn't work so good. I'm
sending you home".
Glen received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in WWII
and another for his service in Korea. He spent the rest of his career
as a manufacturers representative for industrial lighting fixtures. He
died in 2007.
By Don Calder
Return to top of page
Glen in Oshkosh,
WI. in front of a B-17.
Glen
and
his
brother.
Archives
Selling Papers Royal Oak's Oldest
Paul Schroff Lee Blodgett "Polor Bear"