From Extra-ordinary living magazine Fall 2023
Jackie Cox
Rosie and Glenn Thoreson (left) during Vietnam festivities at the Fargo Air Museum in May with retired orthopedist Don Upgrand and his wife Caroline of Fargo.
Prior to Dr. Glenn Thoreson serving 39 years in Mayville as a physician, he was in South Vietnam as an F-4 flight surgeon saving lives of injured US soldiers.
Months after arriving, he passed the grueling physical, trained, and was part of the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Already a flight surgeon, he became the copilot in 21 combat missions of the F-4 Phantom II— the fastest jet in the world.
It began in Mayville where he grew up, attended Concordia, married Rosie Aasen, received certification at UND, and graduated from med school at the University of Kansas in 1966. Then, while interning in Fargo at St. Luke’s, he applied to USAF school of aviation medicine. He was accepted, and on July 5, 1967, was sworn in as a captain at the US school of Aviation at Brooks USAF base in San Antonio. “I wanted to be a flight surgeon.”
There Thoreson learned about preventing and treating the problems pilots experience in flight—developing vertigo, disorientation, high speed problems, and hypoxia, expiring low oxygen.
After completing his flight training at Brooks United States Air Force Base, he was assigned to Reese USAFB, in Lubbock, Tex., a training base for new, young pilots. He learned the basics of flying in the air, how to turn, and control the T-38 jet trainer. “I apparently learned that I have a feel for flying, so was allowed to fly more hours,” Thoreson says.
“In Jan, 1968 I received a notice of impeding transfer to a small country in Southeast Asia — Vietnam. I was assigned to USAF at Cam Ranh Bay in South Vietnam. My new squadron was called the 559th TFS, the “Billygoats.”
“There I was given the opportunity to be trained as a co-pilot in the F-4C. I eagerly accepted … and learned how to operate and function as copilot… all were amazed that I learned by observing in flight, not manuals. For me, it was the chance of a life time.”
After passing the physical and several weeks of training at REESE USAFB, Thoreson had a check ride to see if he could handle the G’s, and understand all the functions. I passed, and was certified to fly combat missions in Vietnam in the F-4,” he happily recalls.
“Thus my nickname became “The Quack”, not because of my medical ineptness— but an endearment term used for all flight surgeons who agree to learn to fly in combat (only 20% agreed and passed the training). After a year, I completed 21 combat missions. “I had earned the respect of the squadron and my roommate Major James McMullen, who I met my first day Vietnam —his brother Harvey was my high school coach”, he said. The coach had told him that we ‘might’ meet in Vietnam. “He became one of my aircraft commanders, roommate, flew many mIssions with me,” and became a dear friend.
During that year, Thoreson says, “I witnessed many happy events, and many sad events. I lost 8 comrades during my tour, and one of my 3 roommates who was killed in an airplane accident at take-off Jan. 1969.” The pilot had attempted a take-off, but the airplane crashed before becoming airborne due to a mechanical failure, which led to tragedy.”
“I was called to the accident as it was my squadron. As we pulled the pilots from the plane, the chief fireman called to get back because of impending explosion of ammunition, bombs and gasoline, which were nearby. One of the fireman pulled me back 8 feet, then a rocket exploded and launched right at the fireman— and the exploding shrapnel hit him and sliced off his arm at his right shoulder.”
“He collapsed and I rushed to him. I stopped the bleeding, got him to an ambulance and to our base hospital; he survived and flew to a US hospital for two years for rehabilitation. I did not know him, and couldn’t see him through his fire retardant suit— he was so burned that I didn’t know if he was black or white, or even survived.”
46 years later, in July 2015, Thoreson researched online everywhere for four months—including Air Force accident sites, deaths. Then, using the date of the accident, he found the Fireman’s email and learned that he’d survived.” He emailed him on a Friday, and “Mac” called two days later and said “I am the fireman! Mac then drove alone from Chicago to Mayville in four days, met my family, and spent the weekend bonding and remembering.” He has had a fulfilling life, despite the loss of his arm— and tossed the prosthetic arm away. They still call frequently and stay “Fox Hole” friends forever.
When asked about receiving recognition for the actions that tragic day, Thoreson quietly but with pride, said it was a team effort, but “yes, the airman’s metal, both of us did receive it,” the top honor in the Air Force for heroism in non-combat accident.
Planning his last flight, the final mission, Thoreson told his crew chief to bring him a big, white, wild, live duck to the runway, climb the plane and give to it him, and Glenn released him— free again, like he was. Hence, the moniker “quack doc” has two meanings. This was among the Air Force final festivities with full squadron and others— but the duck release was unique and a fond memory.
Thoreson returned to Mayville and practiced primary care for 39 years, delivering approximately 400 babies— one in an ambulance at 70 mph! Today retired, Thoreson and his wife live in Mayville and summer at Lake Sallie. He loves Mayville, Tuesday golf, poker, being at the Fargo Air Museum, and works part-time in the summer at a golf course near the lake.
And of course, family! His wife Rosie (he named his jet Rosie D)! Their children, Mark and Mary who were small children while he was in Vietnam, and Matthew, who was born when he returned, are grown up. They have 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren— so much to fight for and return to.