Lauri Allan Törni, also known as Larry Thorne, was a Finnish war hero who fought for Finland, United States, and Germany. He led an infantry company as a Finnish Army captain in fighting the Soviet Union in the Winter War, a military conflict that began following the Soviet invasion of Finland. He also fought in such capacity in the Continuation Wars, a conflict fought against the Soviet Union by co-belligerents Finland and Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Following the Second World War he went to the US where he joined the United States Army Special Forces and fought in the Vietnam War. Considered a national hero of Finland, this war veteran lost his life in the Vietnam War. He received several military awards and decorations for his valor and contributions in the wars. These include Finnish decoration Mannerheim Cross; German decoration Iron Cross 2nd Class; and United States Army decorations and medals Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Purple Heart among others.
