Sergeant First Class Kenneth Thornton
Sergeant First Class Kenneth Thornton
United States Army (Retired)
E.E. Butler High Class of 1963
From Lula, Georgia, to Salt Lake City, Utah
Everyone knows that over 58,000 names of those who died honorably in Vietnam during that long conflict. Most do not know that, in many respects, these were the ones who suffered the least. Millions have long suffered related to physical and mental injuries resulting from their service. Even more, we have chronic and fatal diseases due to Agent Orange exposure by our government. All of them suffered greatly by not being welcomed back to the country they fought for. So Vietnam Vets welcome themselves home by saying to other vets, Welcome home, brother, and thanks for a job well done. Today, as a Vietnam veteran, I am proud and honored to welcome home a true American hero who has gone from Lula, Georgia, to Salt Lake City, Utah, with stops in Vietnam and other places around the world, while serving our country? So in his own words, SFC Kenneth Thornton, US Army (Retired) and member of the 1963 class of E.E. Butler High School tells his story. It is undoubtedly one of the most interesting in this series of Where are they now?
The Beginning
Life started for me 65 years ago in the small town of Lula, Georgia, located about 13 miles north of Gainesville, Georgia. The population of Lula was around 600 people, with around 12 black families. I started school when I was 5 years old, in a small segregated school, I believe, around 12 to 15 students. Mrs. Nancy Stephens was our teacher. When I entered the 7th grade, the Lula school system closed the school and started transporting all the kids to Fair Street School in Gainesville, Georgia. Riding on the school bus was an exciting experience for me, especially when we started going into the outskirts of Banks County to pick up more students. For me, it was a new adventure, a place I had never been before. I also remember that the old Hall County school bus had one heater located up in the front of the bus, near the driver. So, it got cold in the back of the bus (smile). But, to be kids sharing new adventures, life was always FUN, FUN, and FUN.
After High School
When I graduated from E. E. Butler High, I got a job working as a janitor at The Hall County Hospital. I think the pay per week was somewhere around $25.00. Looking back on that experience, I often wonder how I survived on that little money (smile). The Hospital was still segregated, but it was a pleasant workplace. Especially the fun we had doing our jobs and the fellowship we developed with each other.
Military Service
In November 1964, I was drafted into the United States Army. After spending 24 years in the Army, I retired as a Sergeant First Class (SFC). The highlights of my Army career: Basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Advance Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I completed nine years stationed in Europe, four years in Korea, and numerous years stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, and Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. I also spent ten months of a one (1) year tour in Vietnam before I was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, USA. Some insights into my Vietnam experiences: I was deployed to the Americal Division. Upon arriving in my unit, I was assigned the duty of a forward observer. As such, I would go out in the field with the Infantry to direct artillery, mortar, and attack Helicopters gunship fire support when needed. While in the field, I also volunteered to be a tunnel rat. Men who would crawl inside the Viet Cong tunnel networks to flush the enemy out and collect intelligent information. This was a critical but dangerous job, as we never knew who and what were in the tunnels I entered. I was wounded two times while in the field. I was awarded two Purple Heart medals for combat injuries. I was then assigned to be a section chief on a 105-millimeter (mm) air mobile artillery section located on a fire support base. During a nighttime V.C. attack, I was hit with flying shrapnel from a 122 mm rocket. I received another purple Heart medal for that injury and was finally medically evacuated from Vietnam. I received a total of 3 Purple Heart Awards, The Bronze Star with valor (the 4th Highest Combat Award in the U.S. Military) and 5 Good Conduct Medals during my Army career. Being drafted into the Army was not my idea, but it led to much more challenging and satisfying life than being a janitor at Hall County Hospital.
Post Military/Federal Service
Before I retired from the Army, I was assigned to Dugway Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah. Dugway Proving Ground is a government facility that conducts military testing and approves Military Munitions for the Armed Services. As a soldier, I was in charge of all the experimental rockets, missiles, artillery, and mortar testing. I interfaced with a host of civilians and military personnel. Using my military experience and expertise, I could retire from the Army and qualify as a Civilian Government employee. I am presently a GS-12 Physical Science Technician with over 20 years of civilian service. I am looking forward to retiring again at age 67 for good (smile).
Marriage
Over the years, God has been good to me. Being away from home, I never in a million years expected to meet and marry a Georgian. But God knows EVERYTHING. I met and married the LOVE of my life, Bessie Ann Walker of Toccoa, GA. We have two grown children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I am a faithful and active member of the Calvary Baptist church in Salt Lake City. I serve as an officer on the Board of Trustees, Sunday School Teacher (men’s class), and sing baritone in the Men’s Choir. I enjoy life to the fullest. I take pleasure in being around positive people, laughing a lot, and reminiscing with good friends. We have already registered for the Butler Reunion and are looking forward to meeting old and new friends, remembering, and making new memories. See you there!
United States Army (Retired)
E.E. Butler High Class of 1963
From Lula, Georgia, to Salt Lake City, Utah
Everyone knows that over 58,000 names of those who died honorably in Vietnam during that long conflict. Most do not know that, in many respects, these were the ones who suffered the least. Millions have long suffered related to physical and mental injuries resulting from their service. Even more, we have chronic and fatal diseases due to Agent Orange exposure by our government. All of them suffered greatly by not being welcomed back to the country they fought for. So Vietnam Vets welcome themselves home by saying to other vets, Welcome home, brother, and thanks for a job well done. Today, as a Vietnam veteran, I am proud and honored to welcome home a true American hero who has gone from Lula, Georgia, to Salt Lake City, Utah, with stops in Vietnam and other places around the world, while serving our country? So in his own words, SFC Kenneth Thornton, US Army (Retired) and member of the 1963 class of E.E. Butler High School tells his story. It is undoubtedly one of the most interesting in this series of Where are they now?
The Beginning
Life started for me 65 years ago in the small town of Lula, Georgia, located about 13 miles north of Gainesville, Georgia. The population of Lula was around 600 people, with around 12 black families. I started school when I was 5 years old, in a small segregated school, I believe, around 12 to 15 students. Mrs. Nancy Stephens was our teacher. When I entered the 7th grade, the Lula school system closed the school and started transporting all the kids to Fair Street School in Gainesville, Georgia. Riding on the school bus was an exciting experience for me, especially when we started going into the outskirts of Banks County to pick up more students. For me, it was a new adventure, a place I had never been before. I also remember that the old Hall County school bus had one heater located up in the front of the bus, near the driver. So, it got cold in the back of the bus (smile). But, to be kids sharing new adventures, life was always FUN, FUN, and FUN.
After High School
When I graduated from E. E. Butler High, I got a job working as a janitor at The Hall County Hospital. I think the pay per week was somewhere around $25.00. Looking back on that experience, I often wonder how I survived on that little money (smile). The Hospital was still segregated, but it was a pleasant workplace. Especially the fun we had doing our jobs and the fellowship we developed with each other.
Military Service
In November 1964, I was drafted into the United States Army. After spending 24 years in the Army, I retired as a Sergeant First Class (SFC). The highlights of my Army career: Basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Advance Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I completed nine years stationed in Europe, four years in Korea, and numerous years stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, and Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. I also spent ten months of a one (1) year tour in Vietnam before I was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, USA. Some insights into my Vietnam experiences: I was deployed to the Americal Division. Upon arriving in my unit, I was assigned the duty of a forward observer. As such, I would go out in the field with the Infantry to direct artillery, mortar, and attack Helicopters gunship fire support when needed. While in the field, I also volunteered to be a tunnel rat. Men who would crawl inside the Viet Cong tunnel networks to flush the enemy out and collect intelligent information. This was a critical but dangerous job, as we never knew who and what were in the tunnels I entered. I was wounded two times while in the field. I was awarded two Purple Heart medals for combat injuries. I was then assigned to be a section chief on a 105-millimeter (mm) air mobile artillery section located on a fire support base. During a nighttime V.C. attack, I was hit with flying shrapnel from a 122 mm rocket. I received another purple Heart medal for that injury and was finally medically evacuated from Vietnam. I received a total of 3 Purple Heart Awards, The Bronze Star with valor (the 4th Highest Combat Award in the U.S. Military) and 5 Good Conduct Medals during my Army career. Being drafted into the Army was not my idea, but it led to much more challenging and satisfying life than being a janitor at Hall County Hospital.
Post Military/Federal Service
Before I retired from the Army, I was assigned to Dugway Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah. Dugway Proving Ground is a government facility that conducts military testing and approves Military Munitions for the Armed Services. As a soldier, I was in charge of all the experimental rockets, missiles, artillery, and mortar testing. I interfaced with a host of civilians and military personnel. Using my military experience and expertise, I could retire from the Army and qualify as a Civilian Government employee. I am presently a GS-12 Physical Science Technician with over 20 years of civilian service. I am looking forward to retiring again at age 67 for good (smile).
Marriage
Over the years, God has been good to me. Being away from home, I never in a million years expected to meet and marry a Georgian. But God knows EVERYTHING. I met and married the LOVE of my life, Bessie Ann Walker of Toccoa, GA. We have two grown children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I am a faithful and active member of the Calvary Baptist church in Salt Lake City. I serve as an officer on the Board of Trustees, Sunday School Teacher (men’s class), and sing baritone in the Men’s Choir. I enjoy life to the fullest. I take pleasure in being around positive people, laughing a lot, and reminiscing with good friends. We have already registered for the Butler Reunion and are looking forward to meeting old and new friends, remembering, and making new memories. See you there!