During the Second World War, Finland found itself in a unique situation. Initially, the country sought to stay out of the conflict. However, that objective was disrupted when the Russians launched the Winter War. Lauri Törni, a young Finn in his early 20s, fought courageously. This was the start of a journey spanning years, during which he would serve in the armed forces of three different countries.
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 homemaker mother. As a child, he was both intelligent and athletically gifted. After completing business school and a period of service with the White Guard, he enlisted in the Finnish military in 1938.
In November 1939, Russia started the Winter War against Finland. This conflict, where the Finns stood resilient against a much more powerful Russian force, highlighted the strength of Finland’s military. Törni was on the frontlines, serving with Jäeger Battalion 4.
During the war, Törni’s battalion was among those that successfully destroyed Russian divisions. Their achievements were so notable that he was sent to officer training and commissioned as a Vänrikki (second lieutenant) in the Finnish military reserves.
The Continuation War
As a result of his abilities, Lauri Törni was sent to Austria to train with the Waffen-SS. He spent seven weeks training with the combat force during the summer of 1941, and was commissioned as an officer when he returned to Finland. The Germans recognized the young soldier as an Untersturmführer (junior storm leader).
Conflict between Finland and Russia began, again, during 1941-44’s Continuation War. By this time, Törni was in command of a unit. Simply called Detachment Törni, the unit caused serious issues for the Russians with its talent for penetrating enemy lines. In fact, Törni’s men were so effective that Russia placed a bounty of 3,000,000 Finnish marks on his head.
Lauri Törni’s continued service
The Continuation War concluded in September 1944 with the signing of the Moscow Armistice. Afterward, the Finnish Army was demobilized, leaving Lauri Törni unemployed and concerned that the Russians might attempt another invasion of Finland.
He joined the pro-German resistance movement in Finland, preparing for potential future conflicts with Russia. Törni underwent saboteur training in Germany before joining a German unit fighting the Red Army near Schwerin. He fought alongside the Wehrmacht until mid-1945, when he surrendered to the British Army and was placed in a prisoner of war camp. Törni later escaped and returned to Finland.
In 1946, Törni was arrested and tried for enlisting in the German Army. He was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison, but two years later, Finnish President Juho Kusti Paasikivi granted him a pardon. Once released, the decorated soldier fled to 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.