Michael E. Thornton
Keynote Speaker: Retired U.S. Navy SEAL; Medal of Honor Recipient; Founder & President of the METFUND Philanthropy to Assist Military Families Enduring Hardships
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Michael E. Thornton Biography
Michael Edwin Thornton is a retired United States Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient whose career reflects extraordinary courage and service.
After graduating from high school in Spartanburg, he enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and entered basic training in San Diego, California. He was soon selected for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, California, where he earned his place among the Navy’s elite warriors. Assigned to SEAL Team ONE, Thornton served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam and Thailand between 1968 and 1973, where he distinguished himself for his leadership and bravery.
Thornton’s most heroic action came on October 31, 1972, during a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering mission in Vietnam. When his team came under overwhelming enemy fire, he risked his life to save his superior officer, Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, carrying him across two miles of rough seas while evading hostile forces. For this valor, Thornton received the Medal of Honor in 1973, becoming one of the few men to receive the award for saving the life of another Medal of Honor recipient. This act solidified his place among America’s most revered military figures.
Following Vietnam, Thornton continued to serve with distinction. From 1974 to 1977, he was an instructor at the SEAL training command in Coronado, and in 1978 he spent two years with the British Special Boat Service as part of an exchange program. Upon his return, he became a founding member of SEAL Team SIX, where he helped develop new tactics and technology that would shape modern special operations. Commissioned as an officer in 1982, Thornton went on to serve as Officer-in-Charge of the Navy’s Second Class Dive School, First Lieutenant and Diving Officer aboard USS Edenton, and Bravo Company Commander during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He retired in 1992 as the last active-duty Medal of Honor recipient in the Navy.
In his post-military life, Thornton has remained dedicated to service. He founded the Michael E. Thornton Foundation (METFUND), a nonprofit organization providing immediate financial assistance to military members, veterans, and their families facing hardships. He is the president and founder.
Beyond philanthropy, he continues to be involved in veteran advocacy and serves on advisory boards supporting service members. In October 2024, he joined fellow Medal of Honor recipients in a public endorsement of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Through his decorated military career, lasting contributions to the SEAL community, and ongoing support for America’s veterans, Thornton’s life stands as a testament to courage, sacrifice, and leadership.
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Michael E. Thornton Videos
How do I book Michael E. Thornton to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael E. Thornton for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael E. Thornton, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael E. Thornton or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Michael E. Thornton for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Michael E. Thornton, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael E. Thornton are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael E. Thornton, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Michael E. Thornton speak about?
Michael E. Thornton is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Veterans, Navy, Military, Non-Profit, Leadership, Motivational, Social Activism and Philanthropy.
Where does Michael E. Thornton travel from?
Michael E. Thornton generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Michael E. Thornton?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael E. Thornton for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael E. Thornton for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael E. Thornton or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Michael E. Thornton is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Veterans, Navy and Military. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael E. Thornton for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Michael E. Thornton generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Brent Gleeson, Jason Redman and Rocky Bleier. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael E. Thornton for an upcoming event.
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Michael E. Thornton Videos
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How do I book Michael E. Thornton to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael E. Thornton for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael E. Thornton, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael E. Thornton or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Michael E. Thornton for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Michael E. Thornton, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael E. Thornton are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael E. Thornton, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Michael E. Thornton speak about?
Michael E. Thornton is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Veterans, Navy, Military, Non-Profit, Leadership, Motivational, Social Activism and Philanthropy. -
Where does Michael E. Thornton travel from?
Michael E. Thornton generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Michael E. Thornton?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael E. Thornton for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael E. Thornton for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael E. Thornton or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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