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March 4, 1968
Presidential Candidate George Wallace visits Dr. Richard Marvel’s political science class.
March 4, 1973
UNO graduates Leo Thorsness (1964), James Hughes (1960) and James Kasler released after nearly six years as Vietnam War POWs, including time in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Thorsness, a pilot, was shot down April 30, 1967, on his 93rd mission, seven shy of completing his tour. He wrote an account of his time as a POW in "Surviving Hell: A POW's Journey." Thorsness was awarded the nation's highest honor — the Congressional Medal of Honor — during his captivity, though the award wasn't announced until after his release. He is among four UNO graduates to have received the Medal of Honor, along with Jack L. Treadwell (1963), Merlyn H. Dethlefsen (1965) and Roger Donlon (1967). Hughes, also a pilot, was shot down in an F-105 on May 5, 1967. See a UNO Alum story on Hughes published in July 2002. Kasler, a 1963 UNO grad, is the only man to receive the Air Force Cross three times. He was promoted by Time as America’s top jet ace — four days after he had been shot down and captured by the Viet Cong. He was a POW until his release in 1973.
See more at This Day in UNO History
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