Larry Thorne Biography Part 2: Green Berets in Vietnam

Published on October 4, 2025
Duration: 26:55

This video details the life and exploits of Finnish war hero Larry Thorne, focusing on his service in the US Army Special Forces and his experiences in Vietnam. It highlights his journey from Finland to the US, his recruitment into special forces, and his final mission during Operation Shining Brass, which led to his disappearance and eventual recovery of remains. The narrative emphasizes Thorne's legendary status and the recovery of his personal Swedish K submachine gun from the crash site.

Quick Summary

Larry Thorne was a Finnish-American war hero renowned for his service in both the Finnish Army and the US Army, particularly with the 10th Special Forces Group and in Vietnam. His legendary status was cemented by daring missions, including one in Iran and his final, ill-fated operation in Laos, where his helicopter crashed. The recovery of his personal Swedish K submachine gun from the crash site provided key evidence in understanding his fate.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction to Larry Thorne Biography Part 2
  2. 00:25Larry Thorne's Swedish K Artifact
  3. 01:01Thorne's Journey to the US
  4. 02:41Joining the US Army
  5. 04:42Path to US Special Forces
  6. 06:4810th Special Forces Group in Germany
  7. 06:57Iranian Border Incident
  8. 08:35The Iranian Border Mission
  9. 09:53Americanizing his Name
  10. 10:39Arrival in Vietnam (1963)
  11. 11:08Robin Moore and 'The Green Berets'
  12. 12:22Thorne's Death in Vietnam
  13. 12:44Operation Shining Brass (1965)
  14. 13:13The Final Mission and Crash
  15. 14:51Listed as Missing in Action
  16. 15:37The Mystery of Thorne's Disappearance
  17. 15:50Recovery of Remains Mission
  18. 17:54The 1999 Excavation
  19. 19:21Findings at the Crash Site
  20. 20:43The Swedish Gun and Deniability
  21. 21:17Bringing Home the Swedish K
  22. 22:31Restoring the Swedish K's Serial Number
  23. 23:09Swedish K in Vietnam
  24. 24:04Thorne's Swedish K as Evidence
  25. 25:14Conclusion and Book Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Larry Thorne?

Larry Thorne was a Finnish-American war hero who served with distinction in both the Finnish Army during the Winter War and later in the US Army, notably with the 10th Special Forces Group and in Vietnam. He was known for his exceptional combat skills and legendary status.

What is the significance of the Swedish K recovered from Larry Thorne's crash site?

The Swedish K submachine gun recovered from Larry Thorne's helicopter crash site in Laos is significant because it was his personal firearm, a 'deniable' weapon often used by US Special Forces in Vietnam, and its recovery provided crucial evidence in identifying the crash and Thorne's fate.

How did Larry Thorne end up in the US Army?

Larry Thorne, after serving in Finland, traveled to the US, initially working as a sailor. He eventually legalized his status and joined the US Army in 1954, leveraging his prior combat experience and the support of other Finnish veterans and American ex-soldiers.

What was Operation Shining Brass?

Operation Shining Brass was a secret US military operation in 1965 aimed at tracking the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos. Larry Thorne was part of this operation when his helicopter crashed, leading to his disappearance and eventual classification as Missing in Action.

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