Finland encountered a unique situation during World War II. Originally aiming to maintain neutrality, the country’s position changed when the Winter War broke out with the Soviet Union. Lauri Törni, a brave young Finn, showcased valor in combat, embarking on a years-long odyssey that saw him serve in the militaries of three different nations.
Lauri Törni’s early life and upbringing
Lauri Allan Törni was born in Viipuri, Finland, in May 1919, to a ship captain father and a mother who was a homemaker. A gifted child, he excelled not only academically, but also in athletics. In 1938, after finishing his education at business school and serving with the White Guard, he enlisted in the Finnish military.
In November 1939, Russia initiated what became known as the Winter War against Finland. Despite facing significantly superior forces, the Finnish military demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill, with Törni serving bravely on the frontlines alongside Jäeger Battalion 4.
Throughout the conflict, Törni’s battalion achieved notable success against Russian divisions, leading to his assignment to officer training. Subsequently, he was commissioned as a Vänrikki (second lieutenant) in the Finnish military reserves.
The Continuation War
Due to his exceptional skills, Lauri Törni was dispatched to Austria for training with the Waffen-SS. Spending seven weeks with the combat force during the summer of 1941, he returned to Finland commissioned as an officer. Recognized by the Germans as an Untersturmführer (junior storm leader), Törni’s journey took a significant turn.
As the conflict between Finland and Russia reignited during the Continuation War of 1941-44, Törni found himself commanding a unit. Known simply as Detachment Törni, this group posed significant challenges for the Russian forces with their adeptness at infiltrating enemy lines. Their effectiveness was such that Russia placed a bounty of 3,000,000 Finnish marks on Törni’s head.
Lauri Törni’s continued service
The Continuation War ended in September 1944 with the Moscow Armistice. Following this, the Finnish Army was demobilized and Lauri Törni was left unemployed and worried the Russians would make another attempt to invade Finland.
The soldier joined the pro-German resistance movement in Finland, hoping to be prepared for future conflicts with Russia. He attended saboteur training in Germany, after which he joined a German unit fighting the Red Army near Schwerin. He fought with the Wehrmacht until mid-1945, when he surrendered to the British Army and was sent to a prisoner of war camp. The soldier later escaped and returned to Finland.
In 1946, Törni was arrested and tried for joining the German Army. He was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison. Two years later, however, he received a pardon from Finnish President Juho Kusti Paasikivi. Once free, the decorated soldier took off for Sweden.
Lauri Törni makes it to America
While in Sweden, Lauri Törni fell in love and became engaged. Before getting married, however, he hoped to start a career working on Swedish vessels. In 1950, he jumped off one of these ships near Mobile, Alabama. He eventually made it to Sunset Park in Brooklyn, New York, which had an emigrated Finnish community.
After a few years of working as a carpenter and cleaner, Törni earned permanent residence. In 1954, the Finn joined the US Army and, before long, was training for the Special Forces. Törni trained troops in a number of skills, including guerrilla tactics, survival, skiing and mountaineering. During his time in the US military, he went by the name Larry Thorne.
Between 1958-62, Törni served in West Germany with the 10th Special Forces Group, gaining notoriety for his involvement in a search-and-rescue mission in Iran’s Zagros Mountains. He was then sent to Vietnam with Special Forces Detachment A-734. He was involved in a number of fire fights early on. For his bravery during a fierce battle in the Tịnh Biên District, Törni was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.
Lauri Törni’s death and legacy
Törni returned to Vietnam for a second tour, this time with the 5th Special Forces Group. Before long, he was transferred to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), with whom he served as an advisor.
During a mission in October 1965, as part of Operation Shining Brass, the Sikorsky CH-34 “Choctaw” helicopter he was flying in went missing. Rescue crews were unable to locate the site of the crash. Following the incident, Törni was awarded the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also promoted to the rank of major.
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The bodies Törni and those of his fellow soldiers weren’t discovered until 1999. Their bodies were flown back the US and interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Törni, who was formally identified four years later, is the only known former member of the SS to be buried at the hallowed site.