World War II veteran visits Fort Drum, revisits history with commanders

By Ms Jennifer M Caprioli (IMCOM)August 10, 2011

Col. Noel T. Nicolle, Fort Drum garrison commander, presents a coin to retired Navy Capt. Robert J. Norman on Monday during a visit to Fort Drum. Norman's son, retired Army Col. Kurt D. Norman, who resides in Sackets Harbor, brought his father on pos...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Noel T. Nicolle, Fort Drum garrison commander, presents a coin to retired Navy Capt. Robert J. Norman on Monday during a visit to Fort Drum. Norman's son, retired Army Col. Kurt D. Norman, who resides in Sackets Harbor, brought his father on pos... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Current and former military members gathered Aug. 8 at Hays Hall for one purpose: to hear stories from a World War II veteran that span three wars and nine decades.

Retired Navy Capt. Robert J. Norman was the center of attention in Brig. Gen. Harry E. Miller's office as he spoke to Fort Drum's senior commander and Col. Noel T. Nicolle, Fort Drum garrison commander.

Accompanied by his sons, retired Navy Capt. Robert J. Norman Jr. and retired Army Col. Kurt D. Norman, who resides in Sackets Harbor, he told the story of Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Norman, a petty officer in charge of turret No. 4, was aboard the battleship USS Nevada, one of the eight ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The ship was torpedoed, hit with bombs and sank up to its main deck in the harbor.

After surviving that attack, Norman, who resides in Tulsa, Okla., went on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

"I wasn’t looking for any badges," Norman told the senior leaders during their conversation.

But, in 1998, the retired captain received a Silver Star " the third-highest honor that the Navy can bestow " 57 years after the famous attack that caused the U.S to

declare war on Japan and Germany.

Norman's visit to Fort Drum came after a weekend of taking in the sights of the North Country, including the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, which sparked a long conversation about boats with Nicolle.

Norman also spoke to the senior leaders about Pearl Harbor and about life post-1945, noting that at the end of World War II he made the decision to receive a commission and remain in the Navy, until he retired in 1973.

During the war in Vietnam, he led a destroyer division and his son, Robert Jr., served on the same flag ship as his father.

"We are the most combat-trained Army right now, but the Navy, at that point in the (World War II was) the most battle-tested Navy that this nation has ever fielded," Nicolle told the Norman Family.

“Today’s service (members) are just as professional and well-trained as those I served with in my 37 years in the U.S. Navy," Norman noted. "Although World War II was a long and arduous trial for the nation, the men and women of the armed forces stood us well and led us to victory.

"Those volunteers that are fighting the global war on (terrorism) are just as dedicated, and I believe will bring that long campaign to a successful conclusion.”

"It's so humbling to be in your presence," Nicolle told the 91-year-old veteran. He noted that he always wanted to meet someone who was at Pearl Harbor during the Dec. 7 attacks, and he was happy that Norman was the one to fulfill that wish.

Miller and Nicolle each presented the three-war veteran with a coin, which he graciously accepted, noting it had been a long time since he received "one of these."

In September, Norman will attend a reunion of the USS Arizona " also a ship in the U.S. Pacific Fleet " in New Orleans.

After the meeting, Norman and his sons toured Fort Drum.

And although Fort Drum is not the Navy base he's used to visiting, Norman gave his stamp of approval by noting, “I was tremendously impressed in all respects with Fort Drum and the personnel I came in contact with during the tour. (The post is) simply outstanding."

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