In honor of Memorial Day, AL.com shared “13 facts and 1 life lesson from Medal of Honor recipient,” retired Col. Leo Thorsness.

Col. Thorsness is a Distinguished Eagle Scout and past-president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, whose small membership is made up of recipients of the Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest award for military valor. He received the Medal of Honor in 1967 for his heroic actions in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.Before Col. Thorsness was aware he had received the medal, his plane was shot down over North Vietnam, and he spent six years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi.

Please take a few moments to read this article and watch the video about a hero and a Distinguished Eagle Scout:  13 facts and 1 life lesson from Medal of Honor recipient.