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Lauri Törni or Larry Thorne was known as a fearless officer in Finland's two wars with Russia. After the armistice he continued on with Germany's war against Russia 1944-45. Later he was arrested in Finland as a war criminal but escaped via Sweden to the US and continued his military career with honor. In addition to the three wars against Russia, he then joined the US Special Forces in Vietnam.
Larry Thorne, who was born 1919 in Viborg as Lauri Alan Törni, vanished in 1965 during a clandestine helicopter operation over Laos. Several years ago the crashed helicopter and his remains were found and sent to the US. Through DNA analysis of the bones, his identify was established. He was buried with pomp and ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery.
Several books have been written about him as well as movies made about him. John Wayne portrayed Major Törni in "The Green Berets" in 1968. Recently there was a program on Finnish TV that featured Joel Holmberg who played the role of Larry Thorne. It's possible Holmberg was a Swede Finn. He grew up in Boston, MA, went to school in the 1960s and at one time he operated a dance studio on Martha's Vineyard. Nothing more is known about him. If anyone has information about Joel Holmberg, contact Norden newspaper: nordennews%40aol.com
June
Larry Thorne, who was born 1919 in Viborg as Lauri Alan Törni, vanished in 1965 during a clandestine helicopter operation over Laos. Several years ago the crashed helicopter and his remains were found and sent to the US. Through DNA analysis of the bones, his identify was established. He was buried with pomp and ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery.
Several books have been written about him as well as movies made about him. John Wayne portrayed Major Törni in "The Green Berets" in 1968. Recently there was a program on Finnish TV that featured Joel Holmberg who played the role of Larry Thorne. It's possible Holmberg was a Swede Finn. He grew up in Boston, MA, went to school in the 1960s and at one time he operated a dance studio on Martha's Vineyard. Nothing more is known about him. If anyone has information about Joel Holmberg, contact Norden newspaper: nordennews%40aol.com
June
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