Lauri Allan Törni, born on May 28, 1919, and later known as Larry Alan Thorne, led a remarkable life as a soldier, serving under three different flags. Initially rising through the ranks as a Finnish Army officer during the Winter War and the Continuation War, he eventually attained the rank of captain. During World War II, he fought on the Eastern Front against the Red Army as a Waffen-SS captain, using the alias Larry Laine, leading the Finnish Volunteer Battalion of the Waffen-SS.
Later, Törni transitioned to serve in the United States Army, where he adopted the identity “Larry Thorne” and achieved the rank of Major. In this capacity, he served with distinction in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the Vietnam War.
Tragically, Törni lost his life in a helicopter crash during his service in Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major. Remarkably, his remains were located three decades after his death, and he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Notably, Törni is the sole former member of the Waffen-SS known to be interred there.
WW2 Service
During the intense battles around Lake Ladoga, Törni played a pivotal role in dismantling the encircled Soviet divisions in East Lemetti, showcasing his tactical prowess and bravery.
Recognizing his exceptional performance, Törni’s superiors directed him towards officer training towards the latter stages of the conflict. Eventually, he was commissioned as a Vänrikki (2nd lieutenant) in the reserves. Following the Winter War, in June 1941, Törni underwent seven weeks of training with the Waffen-SS in Vienna, Austria. Upon his return to Finland in July, his Finnish officer status was acknowledged by the Germans, who granted him the rank of Untersturmführer.
Törni’s notable achievements primarily stemmed from his actions during the Continuation War (1941–44) between the Soviet Union and Finland. In 1943, he was entrusted with leading an infantry unit informally dubbed Detachment Törni. Renowned for its effectiveness, the unit operated deep behind enemy lines, garnering respect from both allies and adversaries alike. Notably, one of Törni’s subordinates was the future President of Finland, Mauno Koivisto, who served under him during the Battle of Ilomantsi. Törni’s unit inflicted heavy losses on Soviet forces, leading to a substantial bounty being placed on his head by the Soviet Army. In recognition of his valor, he was awarded the Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class on July 9, 1944.
Waffen SS
Following the September 1944 Moscow Armistice, which necessitated the removal of German troops from Finnish territory, Törni found himself demobilized along with much of the Finnish Army, leaving him without employment in November 1944. In January 1945, he joined the Pro-German resistance movement in Finland and underwent saboteur training in Germany, intending to organize resistance in the event of a Soviet occupation of Finland. However, his training was cut short, prompting him to join a German unit fighting Soviet forces near Schwerin, Germany. He surrendered to British troops towards the end of World War II and eventually returned to Finland in June 1945 after escaping from a British POW camp in Lübeck, Germany.
Facing numerous challenges upon his return, including arrests and trials for alleged treason, Törni’s resilience endured. Despite being imprisoned and twice attempting to escape, he eventually received a pardon from President Juho Paasikivi in December 1948, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter in his life.Facing numerous challenges upon his return, including arrests and trials for alleged treason, Törni’s resilience endured. Despite being imprisoned and twice attempting to escape, he eventually received a pardon from President Juho Paasikivi in December 1948, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter in his life.
Escaping Communism
In 1949, Törni embarked on a journey with his wartime executive officer, Holger Pitkänen, venturing to Sweden by crossing the border from Tornio to Haparanda (Haaparanta), a region heavily populated by ethnic Finns. Arriving in Haparanda, Törni continued his travels by rail to Stockholm, where he found refuge with Baroness von Essen, known for sheltering many Finnish officers who had fled the aftermath of the war. Unfortunately, Pitkänen was apprehended and sent back to Finland.
In Sweden, Törni’s path took an unexpected turn when he met Marja Kops, a Swedish Finn, with whom he quickly fell in love. Their romance blossomed, leading to an engagement. Seeking stability, Törni assumed a Swedish seaman’s identity and secured work aboard the SS Bolivia, bound for Caracas, Venezuela. Coincidentally, he encountered one of his former Winter War commanders, Finnish Colonel Matti Aarnio, who had found refuge in Venezuela following the war.
Determined to forge a new life, Törni clandestinely boarded a Swedish cargo ship, the MS Skagen, which set sail from Caracas to the United States in 1950. However, during the voyage in the Gulf of Mexico, near Mobile, Alabama, Törni made a bold decision – he jumped overboard and swam ashore, becoming a political refugee.
Finding himself in New York City, Törni sought assistance from the Finnish-American community residing in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, fondly known as “Finntown.” There, he utilized his skills as a carpenter and cleaner to earn a living. In 1953, Törni’s fortunes took a positive turn when he was granted a residence permit through an Act of Congress, a feat facilitated by the law firm of “Wild Bill” Donovan, the former head of the Office of Strategic Services. This marked a significant milestone in Törni’s journey, providing him with the opportunity for a fresh start in the United States.
U.S. Army Service
In 1954, Törni enlisted in the U.S. Army under the provisions of the Lodge-Philbin Act, assuming the name Larry Thorne. He found camaraderie among a group of Finnish-American officers, famously dubbed “Marttinen’s Men” (Marttisen miehet).
With the backing of this close-knit community, Thorne transitioned into the U.S. Army Special Forces. In this role, he imparted his expertise in skiing, survival techniques, mountaineering, and guerrilla warfare. Concurrently, he pursued further training, completing airborne school and ascending to the rank of sergeant.
Formalizing his commitment to his adopted country, Thorne obtained U.S. citizenship in 1957. Subsequently, he attended Officer Candidate School, achieving the rank of first lieutenant in the Signal Corps. His dedication and proficiency led to a Regular Army commission and a promotion to captain in 1960.
From 1958 to 1962, Thorne served with distinction in the 10th Special Forces Group based in West Germany at Bad Tölz. Notably, he played a pivotal role as second-in-command during a demanding search and recovery mission in the rugged Zagros Mountains of Iran, further enhancing his reputation.
Despite his commitments, Thorne found time to reconnect with his roots, briefly visiting his relatives in Finland during his tenure in Germany. His contributions and leadership within the Special Forces were highlighted in an episode of The Big Picture, released in 1962 but filmed in 1959, showcasing his role as a lieutenant with the 10th Special Forces Group in the United States Army.
Vietnam
In November 1963, Thorne was deployed to South Vietnam to support the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces in the ongoing Vietnam War. Stationed in the Tịnh Biên District, he and his Special Forces Detachment A-734 were tasked with operating Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) encampments at Châu Lăng and later Tịnh Biên.
During a harrowing assault on the CIDG camp in Tịnh Biên, Thorne displayed exceptional bravery, earning two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star Medal for his valor in the heat of battle.
Returning for his second tour in Vietnam in February 1965, Thorne joined the 5th Special Forces Group before transferring to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV–SOG), a classified US special operations unit focused on unconventional warfare in Vietnam, where he served as a military advisor.
Tragically, on October 18, 1965, during Operation Shining Brass, Thorne was overseeing the first clandestine mission to locate and destroy Viet Cong turnaround points along the Ho Chi Minh trail. As the mission unfolded, adverse weather conditions posed significant challenges. While one CH-34 helicopter descended to drop off a six-man team, the command CH-34 carrying Thorne and others, including the O-1 Bird Dog Forward Air Controller, vanished from sight upon the return above the cloud cover.
Efforts to locate the crash site were unsuccessful, and Thorne was officially declared missing in action. In recognition of his service and sacrifice, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of major and honored with the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.
After decades of uncertainty, Thorne’s remains were discovered in 1999 by a joint task force team and repatriated to the United States. In a solemn ceremony attended by dignitaries including Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Ambassador Pete Peterson, his remains were brought back to American soil.
Formally identified in 2003, Thorne was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on June 26, 2003, alongside the RVNAF casualties recovered from the crash site. His name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 02E, Line 126, commemorating his sacrifice. Thorne, survived only by his fiancée, Marja Kops, is remembered as a hero who gave his life in service to his country.
