CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin has ordered all U.S. and state flags displayed at state facilities lowered to half-staff the entire day of Monday, September 21, in commemoration of the distinguished life and service of Sgt. 1st Class Duane Anthony Thornsbury.
Thornsbury, 30, of Bridgeport, W.Va., passed away on September 12, 2009, of injuries sustained from a non-hostile vehicle rollover in Baghdad, Iraq, while enroute to a combat objective. Sgt. 1st Class Thornsbury was a Green Beret as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Prior to his death, Thornsbury had been awarded numerous medals and commendations for his military service. Sgt. 1st Class Thornsbury will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.