Charles E. Thornton Explained

Charles E. Thornton (January 1, 1935 – September 19, 1985) was a medical reporter for the Arizona Republic newspaper. He was the first American journalist killed in Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion of 1979.

Thornton, age 50, and photographer Peter Schlueter were traveling in a truck with mujahideen fighters in September 1985 covering the work of an American medical team in the country. They were ambushed by Soviet troops and helicopters. Schlueter survived.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Thornton was inducted into the Arizona Newspapers Association Hall of Fame in 1996, the same year as murdered Arizona Republic investigative reporter Don Bolles.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Montini. EJ. Montini: The story of the other murdered Arizona Republic reporter. AZCentral. Gannett. 15 November 2017.
2. Web site: Horne. AD. 2 Americans said killed in Afghanistan. The Washington Post. 15 November 2017.
3. Web site: One of two American journalists from The Arizona Republic.... UPI. United Press International. 15 November 2017.
4. Web site: Hall of fame. Arizona Newspapers Association. Arizona Newspapers Association. 15 November 2017.