Michael Thornton was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 15, 1973 for his actions at the Cua Viet River Base, South Vietnam in October of 1972.

During the latter part of the war in Vietnam Navy SEAL Michael Thornton was inserted into Northern Vietnam with three other men deep behind enemy lines. The team found itself in the heart of enemy territory when they were discovered. The engagement that followed would pit the four man team against well over a hundred skilled enemy fighters.

After suffering injuries from a grenade blast he continued to fight and in the course of the five-hour firefight, Thornton carried two wounded comrades to safety.