Vernon Thorsteinson, U.S. Marine Corps.
Word has been received here that Cpl. Vernon J. Thorsteinson, 22, has been killed in action while serving with the United States marines in Vietnam. The former Atikokan resident had joined the marine corps last fall.
Mrs. Chris A.E. Thorsteinson, his mother, who resides at 220 Marks St., was informed of the tragedy in two telegrams received on Monday, Aug. 14, one from Gen. Wallace M. Greene, Jr., of the United States Marine Corps and the other from the War Department in Washington. The telegram from Gen. Greene said that Cpl. Thorsteinson had lost his life in fighting at Quang-Tri.
A brilliant student, Vernon Thorsteinson graduated from the Atikokan high school in 1963. When results of grade 13 exams were announced it was disclosed that he had come within a fraction of a point in achieving status as an Ontario scholar. Vernon compiled an average of 79.875 in his examinations, whereas an average of 80 percent or better is needed to reach the Ontario Scholar plateau.
Vernon was named winner on graduation of the $500 Steep Rock Iron Mines annual scholarship and, in addition, received a Federal-Provincial bursary. He spent two years at the University of Toronto with the intention of concentrating on mathematics and chemistry but ultimately decided to enlist in the U.S. marines because of a long-standing inclination towards military life.
Robert Wright of Wright's Funeral Home said that the young man's remains are being forwarded to Atikokan from Vietnam for burial here. He will be buried in the military section at the Little Falls Cemetery beside his father, who passed away suddenly a few years ago from a heart attack. The services will be conducted by Pastor Clark Wilkie of Zion Lutheran Church.
Mr Wright said that the exact date of the funeral services must await word from Washington on arrangements for transporting the remains from Vietnam to Atikokan. Steep Rock Iron Mines has given its approval for the plane carrying Vernon Thorsteinson's body to land at the Julian Cross airport here, a company landing strip usually barred to private landings.
Customarily, a representative from the U.S. marine corps would accompany the body and would be on hand for the burial services.
Vernon's two brothers – Larry and Jackie – set out from Atikokan only a few days ago with the intention of travelling to Thompson, Man., to seek employment there. Their sister, Mrs. Beverly Francis, resides in Winnipeg. It is understood the brothers headed back for Winnipeg after a short stay in Thompson and that they were informed in Winnipeg of Vernon's passing.
The wire to Mrs. Thorsteinson from Gen. Greene said that Vernon had been killed in action on Saturday, Aug. 12. No other Atikokanite, so far as is known, has been serving in the Vietnam war theatre and thus this stands as the first instance where the conflict there has reached out to touch an Atikokan family.
Vernon Thorsteinson, Grade 13, AHS, 1962-63.