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Terry Thorsen
Retired Crime Scene Supervisor, Plano Police Department, Certified Latent Print Examiner, Certified CSI, Keynote Speaker
Terry L. Thorsen is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and author who served as a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) during the Vietnam War.12 He flew 123 combat sorties in the back seat of the supersonic F-4J Phantom II jet, earning ten Air Medals, a Bronze Star award, and two Navy Unit Commendations.13
Thorsen's military career began when he chose to pursue flight training rather than wait to be drafted.1 Despite struggling with airsickness during his training, he persevered and eventually deployed to Vietnam from March to August 1969.1 During his time in Vietnam, Thorsen participated in various missions, including close air support, targeting anti-aircraft artillery, and escorting B-52 bombers.1
After his service in Vietnam, Thorsen was stationed in Japan before returning to the United States in March 1970.1 He left the Marine Corps in September 1970 with the rank of major.3 Following his military career, Thorsen wrote "Phantom in the Sky: A Marine's Back Seat View of the Vietnam War," a memoir detailing his experiences during the conflict.12
