MDNA Veteran Spotlight: Charles H. Thornton, III

Through November 10th, we're proudly sharing the stories of U.S. Veterans. This week's spotlight is on Charles H. Thornton, III.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, from 1952-1954. Charles was a MP (Military Police Officer) and was stationed at Fort Knox, KY.  During his service he hunted down deserters and service members who had gone AWOL (absent without official leave).
 
Charles H. Thornton, III is the father of Chip Thornton, CEA and grandfather of Chase Thornton, both of MDNA Member firm, PRESSES FOR INDUSTRY.
 
Chip recounts hearing his dad talk about his time as an MP.  “One story that he told us, always stood out to me.  He and a partner would have to go up in the hills and back woods of Kentucky.  He would always find himself stumbling on a Moonshine Still (guys making illegal Moonshine was very prevalent in those times).  He said many times he would be looking down the barrel of a shotgun. He would say “I am only looking for so and so”, and the Moonshiners would always say go look at his Mama’s house.  Sure enough that’s where they would find them. He also would hear the Moonshiner’s running their souped-up cars built for running the mountains at night with huge motors and stripped out so they could put all the crates of moonshine in the cars. And, when sitting in his vehicle at night during a stakeout they would always here the cars racing up and down the mountain and occasionally you could hear one drive off the cliff and explode or crash.”
 
God bless Charles H. Thornton, III (still with us today at 90 years old), and thank you for your service.
 
Are you or your loved one a U.S. Veteran? We want to celebrate your story too.  Please send your story and photos to mark@mdna.org. And thank you for your service!

---