Thornal Sr., Fayette, AO1

This page is in loving memory to my father. He passed away August 2nd, 2000. To all who view this profile, I hope you live a long and prosperous life and have fair winds and following seas.

According to AO1 Thornal's DD-214 equivelant. He enlisted August 18, 1941 and was honorably discharged December 8, 1946. He started his enlistment at NTS San Diego, CA and was discharged from the Navy while attached to Carrier Air Service Unit FIVE.

From boot camp he was assigned to CASU 1 Pearl Harbor, HI. Then to "Fighting Squadron Six", Went to USS Enterprise CV-6, served on board during many and varied battles of WW II. He Then was attached to CASU 66 and CASU 5.

When Pearl Harbor was bombed by the treacherous Japanese, the Big "E" was approximately 1 day out, steaming for Pearl.

Task Force 16, who carried Doolittle's raiders deep into enemy waters, were recognized for their bravery and their critical role in boosting sagging American morale.

The Citation was presented on May 15, 1995, in a ceremony at the Pentagon, attended by more than 100 Task Force 16 veterans. Present were Secretary of the Navy John Dalton, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Bernard D. Rostker, Chief of Naval Operations J. M. Boorda, and New Hampshire Senator Robert C. Smith who began the drive for the Citation after learning of the oversight from one of his constituents: Bert Whited, of Hornet's Scouting Eight. After a recounting of the mission by Assistant Secretary Rostker, the veterans of Task Force 16 were awarded the Citation, which read:

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Second World War, it is appropriate that we take time to reflect on the unique and daring accomplishments achieved early in the war by Task Force 16. Sailing westward under sealed orders in April 1942, only four months after the devastating raid on Pearl Harbor, Task Force 16, carrying sixteen Army B-25 bombers, proceeded into history. Facing adverse weather and under constant threat of discovery before bombers could be launched to strike the Japanese homeland, the crews of the ships and LTC Doolittle's bombers persevered. On 18 April 1942 at 14:45, perseverance produced success as radio broadcasts from Japan confirmed the success of the raids. These raids were an enormous boost to the morale of the American people in those early and dark days of the war and a harbinger of the future for the Japanese High Command that had so foolishly awakened "The Sleeping Giant." These exploits, which so inspired the service men and women and the nation live on today and are remembered when the necessity of success against all odds is required.

(Signed) John H. Dalton
Secretary of the Navy
15 May 1995