DeepSummary
The episode begins with a preview of Malcolm Gladwell's new podcast, Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage, which tells the extraordinary tales of heroism displayed by recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. Gladwell narrates the story of Mike Thornton and Tommy Norris, two Navy SEALs who found themselves in a perilous situation during the Vietnam War in 1972.
On a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines, Thornton and Norris, along with three South Vietnamese soldiers, were discovered by North Vietnamese forces. A fierce firefight ensued, with Thornton and his team outnumbered 20 to 1. Despite being wounded, Thornton refused to leave his mortally wounded comrade, Tommy Norris, behind, carrying him across open terrain while under heavy gunfire.
After a harrowing ordeal, which included swimming for hours while dragging the unconscious Norris and a wounded South Vietnamese soldier, Thornton and the survivors were finally rescued. Both Thornton and Norris were awarded the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary courage and unwavering determination to leave no man behind.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States, awarded for extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in combat.
- Mike Thornton and Tommy Norris displayed incredible courage and determination during a harrowing mission in the Vietnam War, risking their lives to save each other.
- Thornton carried the mortally wounded Norris across open terrain while under heavy enemy fire, refusing to leave him behind.
- After a grueling ordeal, which included swimming for hours while dragging Norris and another wounded soldier, they were finally rescued.
- Both Thornton and Norris were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions, which exemplified the core military value of leaving no man behind.
- Their story highlights the contagious nature of courage, with Thornton inspired by Norris's own previous acts of valor.
- Despite his devastating injuries, Norris exhibited remarkable humility and perspective, downplaying his sacrifices in the face of the horrors of war.
- The unbreakable bond forged between Thornton and Norris as a result of their shared ordeal is a testament to the power of friendship and camaraderie in the face of adversity.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We're walking through areas that have been no way in hell they could have built all this stuff up in two months. So then, right then, we knew we were way north.“ by Michael Thornton
- “The doctors even came in and said, we didn't think we were ever going to save you. He said, I don't know how, you know, you stayed alive and made it through, but he said, you just wouldn't give up. And I think that's part of what it was. You just have a determination not to give up.“ by Tommy Norris
- “And my injury, when you see the death and destruction to other people that you see in war, I mean, what I have is nothing. So I lost an eye, part of my head and brain, and had some other bodily injuries. But what is that? I have another eye.“ by Tommy Norris
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Episode Information
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Pushkin Industries
6/26/24
Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage is a new podcast telling extraordinary tales of heroism.
The Medal of Honor is awarded for bravery in combat that goes far above and beyond the call of duty – those acts of heroism and courage that save lives despite impossible risk. Each week on the show, host Malcolm Gladwell dives into the story behind a different Medal of Honor recipient.
If you enjoyed this episode, you can find Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage wherever you're listening now.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.