covered position and crept forward alone through intense machinegun fire until close enough to toss 2 grenades into the tank's open turret, killing 2 more Germans. He returned across the same fire-beaten zone as heavy mortar fire began falling in the area, seized his machinegun and, without help, dragged it to the knocked-out tank and set it up on the vehicle's rear deck. He fired short rapid bursts into the enemy positions from his advantageous but exposed location, killing or wounding 8. Two enemy machinegun crews abandoned their positions and retreated in confusion. His gun jammed; but rather than leave his self-chosen post he attempted to clear the stoppage; enemy small-arms fire, concentrated on the tank, killed him instantly. Cpl. Thorne, displaying heroic initiative and intrepid fighting qualities, inflicted costly casualties on the enemy and insured the success of his patrol's mission by the sacrifice of his life. Note that many soldiers called the Panzerkampfwagen III simply a "Mark III", which to the reader can confuse it with the British Mark III from World War I. See also List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II References 1918 births 1944 deaths United States Army personnel killed in World War II United States Army Medal of Honor recipients People from Keansburg, New Jersey People from Keyport, New Jersey United States Army soldiers World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor