Herman Thorn (1823–1849) was a U.S. Army officer that rose from the enlisted ranks and died serving on the frontier in 1849.
He fought in the Mexican–American War and was cited for gallantry during the battles of Churubusco and Molino del Rey.
In the later action Thorn and several other officers that volunteered to move and serve as crew of an artillery piece under the command of Captain Simon H. Drum that had a decisive effect on the battle.
[2]: 3 After the war Thorn was reduced in rank back to 2nd Lieutenant, and returned to the 2nd Infantry and sent to serve in Texas and the newly acquired New Mexico Territory.
[3]: 243, 394n90 Fort Thorn was named for him by General John Garland who commanded the military department of the New Mexico Territory in 1853.