Thornton, Michael - The National Medal of Honor Museum

Join us for Family Summer Day on July 25! Presented by the Texas Lottery®.View Details

Plan your visit
- Hours, Directions And Parking Café and Restaurant Museum Shop Museum Map
- Tickets and Experiences Accessibility Group Visits Plan Your Field Trip Places to Stay
Explore All exhibits and events
- EXHIBITSMoments of Action Exhibit From Rails to Rotors Exhibit More than a Medal Exhibit Interactive Exhibits Medal Exhibits
- EVENTSHost a Private Event Veterans Day
Explore All Recipients Stories
- THE RECIPIENTSRecipients Database Search
- THE MEDALLearn About the Medal More Than a Medal Exhibit
Ways to Get Involved
- GiveBecome a Member Volunteer Make A Donation Partners and Donors Sponsor a Youth Field Trip
- AboutAbout the Museum Museum Leadership Careers Stories Pressroom
Griffin Institute
- Griffin InstituteLearn About the Griffin Institute June 2 Teacher Development Day June 4 Teacher Development Day

Become a Member Buy Tickets

U.S. Navy

Thornton, Michael

ConflictNoncombat

Year of Action1881

Unit/CommandUSS Leyden

Citation

For jumping overboard from the U.S. Tug Leyden, near Boston, Mass., 26 August 1881, and sustaining until picked up, Michael Drennan, landsman, who had jumped overboard while temporarily insane.

Branch: U.S. Navy Conflict: Noncombat Year of Action: 1881

Explore Fellow Recipients

See the recipients that share the same branch of service or conflict as Michael Thornton

Recipient category

Troy, WilliamU.S. NavyConflict: Korean Expedition

Truett, Alexander H.U.S. NavyConflict: Civil War

Strahan, RobertU.S. NavyConflict: Civil War

Smith, JohnU.S. NavyConflict: Civil War

Smith, JamesU.S. NavyConflict: Civil War

Webster, Henry S.U.S. NavyConflict: Civil War

Willis, RichardU.S. NavyConflict: Civil War

Willis, John HarlanU.S. NavyConflict: World War II

Stockdale, James BondU.S. NavyConflict: Vietnam War

McCandless, BruceU.S. NavyConflict: World War II

Williams, JohnU.S. NavyConflict: Civil War

Wahlen, George EdwardU.S. NavyConflict: World War II

View all Recipients

The Medal

A Medal Steeped in History

Uncover the inspiring legacy, symbolism, and selection criteria of the Medal of Honor.

EXPLORE THE MEDAL

Exhibits

THE RING OF VALOR

Step into the heart of the Museum and surround yourself with stories of courage and sacrifice.

VIEW EXHIBIT DETAILS

BUY TICKETS BECOME A MEMBER DONATE TO THE MUSEUM