Over North Vietnam, Air Force Maj. Leo K. Thorsness, from the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and his electronic warfare officer, Capt. Harold E. Johnson, destroy two enemy surface-to-air missile sites, and then shoot down a MiG-17 before escorting search-and-rescue helicopters to a downed aircrew. Although his F-105 fighter-bomber was very low on fuel, Major Thorsness attacked four more MiG-17s in an effort to draw the enemy aircraft away from the downed aircrew. Awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous action this day, Major Thorsness did not receive his medal until 1973--on April 30, 1967, he was shot down over North Vietnam and spent the next six years as a prisoner of war.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- First Boston Marathon held, 1897
- American Revolution
- The American Revolution begins, 1775
- Automotive
- Mario Andretti competes in first Indy car event, 1964
- Civil War
- Baltimoreans attack Union troops, 1861
- Cold War
- Soviet clowns lampoon U.S. foreign policy, 1949
- Crime
- Central Park jogger attack shocks New York City, 1989
- Disaster
- Earthquake rocks Guatemala, 1902
- General Interest
- First blood in the Civil War, 1861
- Warsaw Ghetto Uprising begins, 1943
- Branch Davidian compound burns, 1993
- Truck bomb explodes in Oklahoma City, 1995
- Hollywood
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding released, 2002
- Literary
- Lord Byron dies in Greece, 1824
- Music
- The Captain and Tennille bring wedded bliss to the pop charts with their first hit record, 1975
- Old West
- Wyatt Earp dropped from Wichita police force, 1876
- Presidential
- Jefferson sells servant to Madison, 1809
- Sports
- First Boston Marathon run, 1897
- Vietnam War
- Air Force pilot cited for bravery, 1967
- Vietnam Veterans Against the War demonstrate, 1971
- World War I
- Discussion of Italian claims begins at Paris peace conference, 1919
- World War II
- Warsaw ghetto uprising put down, 1943
Apr 19, 1967:
Air Force pilot cited for bravery
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Apr 19 - Apr 25
- Apr 19, 1967
- Air Force pilot cited for bravery
- Apr 19, 1971
- Vietnam Veterans Against the War demonstrate
- Apr 20, 1970
- Nixon announces more troop withdrawals
- Apr 20, 1971
- "Fragging" on the rise in U.S. units
- Apr 21, 1965
- Intelligence reveals North Vietnamese units in South Vietnam
- Apr 21, 1975
- Thieu flees Saigon as Xuan Loc falls
- Apr 22, 1968
- South Vietnamese have increased combat capabilities
- Apr 22, 1972
- Antiwar demonstrations held
- Apr 23, 1975
- Ford says that war is finished for America
- Apr 24, 1967
- Westmoreland makes controversial remarks
- Apr 24, 1971
- North Vietnamese attack South Vietnamese installations
- Apr 25, 1964
- Johnson announces appointment of Westmoreland
- Apr 25, 1972
- North Vietnamese Army close to cutting South Vietnam in two
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Grand Canyon
Get the facts on this geological wonder of the world.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Ridiculous Wars
Discover six of history's most preposterous conflicts.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
Vietnam in HD DVD Set
Their story is in danger of being lost to history. This six-hour miniseries spans the massive initial troop build-up in 1965 to the fall of Saigon a decade later.
$24.95
Buy Now -
Battle 360: The Bloody Battle of Guadalcanal DVD
Own this chronicle of the epic showdown with Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, one of the most critical battles in WWII.
$11.99
Buy Now -
The Great Escapes of WWII DVD Set
Own this breathtaking chronicle of hope, ingenuity, courage and survival.
$9.99
Buy Now
