<p>TOM ROEDER
THE GAZETTE</p>
<p>Air Force Academy cadets on Thursday will learn how to keep fighting when all seems lost.</p>
<p>Its a basic military lesson about courage and valor, but the lessons theyll hear were learned from experience.</p>
<p>Three recipients of the Medal of Honor, Americas highest military award for valor, will address cadets at the schools National Character and Leadership Symposium. Two are airmen who earned the medal in Vietnam. The third is Staff Sgt. Salvatore Guinta, the only living Medal of Honor recipient from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>
<p>So much of character and leadership comes from having good examples to follow, said the academys Maj. Tom Jost, who helped plan the three-day symposium for cadets.</p>
<p>Speakers range from Auroras school superintendent to Dallas Cowboys star Chad Hennings.</p>
<p>But the Medal of Honor recipients are creating the most buzz on the 4,000-student campus. The Air Force recipients who will speak are retired Col. Bud Day and retired Col. Leo Thorsness.</p>
<p>Day was honored for his actions as a prisoner of war. A veteran pilot, Day was captured after his fighter was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967. Despite painful injuries, Day escaped his captors and led them on a two-week chase through the jungle. He was recaptured, but not defeated. Despite his many injuries, he continued to offer maximum resistance, says the citation that accompanied his Medal of Honor.</p>
<p>Thorsness was honored for heroism in flight. In 1967, his wingman was shot down. Despite being dangerously low on fuel, Thorsness stayed overhead, protecting the flight crew as they parachuted to earth. He destroyed one enemy fighter, damaged another and drove three more away as rescuers reached the crew.</p>
<p>Guinta was awarded the medal last fall. In 2007, the then-specialist repeatedly risked enemy fire while rescuing wounded comrades during a mission in Afghanistans Korengal Valley. His actions included taking on two Taliban fighters who were dragging a wounded American away. Specialist Giuntas unwavering courage, selflessness, and decisive leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoons ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from the enemy, his medal citation reads.</p>
<p>Senior cadet Lauren Allison said cadets are in awe of the three medal recipients.</p>
<p>Organizers expect a packed house to hear the three Thursday morning.</p>
<p>It is inspirational for the cadets to hear their stories, she said.</p>