2007 Buffalo Soldier Award

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef on Friday presented the 2007 Buffalo Soldier Award to Village of Wesley Hills resident and former combat Marine and Vietnam War veteran Guillermo “Bill” J.M. Thorne, Sr.

The Buffalo Soldier Award is presented annually to an outstanding African-American veteran who resides in Rockland County and is named after the soldiers of the 10th Black Cavalry Regiment. They earned their fearsome fighting reputation in the Kansas Frontier and were never defeated in 23 years of service in the Indian Wars, which lasted from 1867 to 1890. The 10th Cavalry also served in World War I, World War II and Vietnam. They were nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” after Native Americans spread the legend of the soldiers’ uncommon valor, likening the soldiers to buffalo because they suffered wound after wound, yet did not die.
A panel of past Buffalo Soldier honorees helped to select Thorne for this year’s award.

“Bill put his life on the line to serve our country in the United States Marine Corps and the Vietnam War, and he continues to dedicate himself to helping those who are less fortunate,” said Vanderhoef. “It is a privilege to honor him for his brave service and dedication to our community and to our country.”

A graduate of Marymount Manhattan College in New York with a B.A. in Business Management, Thorne also received an A.A. in Liberal Arts from The University of the State of New York, earning credits toward M.S. Computer Science and J.D. Juris Doctor. Thorne currently serves as a Life Member of the Kearson & Edwards Post 1600 of the American Legion in Pomona, NY and is a member of the Rockland County American Legion, among other organizations. A two-time recipient of the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat, Thorne currently is Senior Vice-Commander, Department of New York, Military Order of the Purple Heart USA. He is a Registered Real Estate Broker with the Department of Veterans Affairs where he provides specialized services for veterans seeking to buy, sell, or refinance a home.

For many years Thorne has been an advocate for children throughout the region by actively collecting toys as part of the Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots Program.