Commander Loften C. Thornton
Chaplain Corps United States Navy
USCG D7 Chaplain
Chaplain Cartus Thornton
was born at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He enlisted in
the United States Marine Corps in December, 1978 and reported to boot camp,
April 26, 1979. After completing recruit training with Bravo Company, 1st
Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island, SC, Chaplain Thornton was sent
to Camp Pendleton, CA for Advanced Infantry Training. He was then assigned
to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines as an Anti-tank Assaultman
(0351) located at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan (79-80). Chaplain Thornton
then served with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th
Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA where he completed his active duty with an
Honorable Discharge (79-83) and joined the Marine Corps Individual Ready
Reserve (83-85).
Following his Marine Corps enlistment, Chaplain Thornton attended the
University of Alabama and graduated from Southeastern University in
Lakeland, FL with a major in Pastoral Ministries and a minor in Preaching
(86-89). He also underwent Basic Law Enforcement training with the Florida
Highway Patrol Auxiliary to serve as a Law Enforcement Chaplain (89).
Chaplain Thornton was licensed to preach by the Assemblies of God Peninsula
Florida District (89) and received his ordination through the Alabama
District of the Assemblies of God (91). He completed his Masters of Divinity
from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO (92-95).
Commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy Reserve Chaplain
Candidate Program (CCPO) in 1992, Chaplain Thornton has served in a variety
of Active Duty for Training billets including Naval Training Center, San
Diego, CA, Naval Recruit Training, Great Lakes, IL, Balboa Naval Hospital,
San Diego, CA, and Chaplain’s School in Newport, RI.
Chaplain Thornton superseded to Active Duty in 1995 and after completing
Chaplain’s School Basic Course, reported for duty at Naval Air Station,
Meridian, MS (95-99). While at NAS Meridian, Chaplain Thornton attained Back
Seat Qualification through Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL. His Active
Duty assignments also include Commander Destroyer Squadron 22, in Norfolk,
VA (99-01) where he served as the Chaplain for the USS BRISCOE (DD -977),
USS CARON (DD -970), USS COLE, (DDG -67), USS DONALD COOK (DDG -75), USS
HAWES (FFG -53), and the USS SIMPSON (FFG -56). He also deployed with the
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Battle Group (Mediterranean Cruise), participated in
Adriatic Contingency Ops ISO Montenegro and Operation Determined Response
when terrorist attacked the USS COLE (DDG 67) in the Gulf of Aden, Yemen.
Chaplain Thornton then served with Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe, HI,
Fourth Reconnaissance Company, Kaneohe, HI, and Headquarters and Service
Battalion Chaplain for Marine Forces Pacific, Camp Smith, HI (01-04) where
he deployed to Ulchi Focus Lense (01) South Korea, Bright Star (01) Egypt,
and Operation Enduring Freedom (02) Bahrain. In August of 2004, Chaplain
Thornton reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Eastern Recruiting Region,
Parris Island, SC where he became the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion
Chaplain (04-06) and then served as the Support Battalion Chaplain (06).
Next Chaplain Thornton served as the Wing Chaplain for Commander, Helicopter
Sea Combat Wing Pacific, Naval Air Station, North Island (06-09) where he
volunteered for on an Individual Augmentee assignment to Iraq. He served as
the Base Command Group Chaplain at Al Asad Airbase, Al Anbar Province, Iraq
and successfully qualified as a Fleet Marine Force Officer. Chaplain
Thornton is currently serving with the United States Coast Guard as the
District 7 Chaplain, Miami, FL.
Chaplain Thornton’s personal decorations and awards include the Meritorious
Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/1 Silver star (in
lieu of 6th award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense
Service Medal w/Bronze star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon w/Bronze star, and the Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon.
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