FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Thomas R Norris ~ 01 May 2023

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Thomas R Norris

Info from here.

           

Thomas Rolland Norris (born January 14, 1944) is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor for his ground rescue with the assistance of Petty Officer Third Class Nguyen Van Kiet of two downed pilots in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam on April 10, 1972 – April 13, 1972. At the time of the action, Lieutenant Norris was a SEAL Advisor with the Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance (STDA) Team. The STDA was known as Studies and Observations Group prior to 1971.

Norris was one of three SEALs to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.

Thomas Norris was born on January 14, 1944 in Jacksonville, Florida. He earned an Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a specialty in criminology from the University of Maryland. While at the University of Maryland, in 1965 and 1966, he was an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) wrestling champion. He hoped to join the Navy and fly jets, but he had problems with his visual acuity and depth perception that disqualified him from becoming a pilot. He then became a Navy SEAL. Norris struggled during BUD/S training, and the instructors seriously discussed washing him out of the course. He graduated from BUD/S Class 45.

In April 1972, Norris was one of few remaining SEALs in Vietnam. When Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton was shot down behind enemy lines, aerial combat search and rescue operations failed, leading to the loss of five additional aircraft and the death of 11 or more airmen, two captured, and three more down and needing rescue.  Norris was tasked with mounting a ground operation to recover Lt. Col. Hambleton, 1st Lt. Mark Clark (the son of World war II General Mark W. Clark), and 1st Lt. Bruce Walker from behind enemy lines. Assisted by Vietnamese Sea Commando forces, he and VNN Chief Petty Officer Nguyen Van Kiet went more than 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) behind enemy lines and successfully rescued two of downed American aviators. Walker was discovered and killed by the NVA. Though Norris at first rejected the honor, he was recognized with the Medal of Honor in 1975. His actions were dramatized in the movie Bat*21.

Six months later, in October 1972, Norris sustained a near-fatal head wound in combat while protecting forces evacuating to his rear. He was rescued by fellow Navy SEAL Michael E. Thornton. Thornton was recognized with the Medal of Honor for his actions; he was the first person in more than a century to receive the Medal of Honor for saving the life of another Medal of Honor recipient. Norris and Thornton received the Medal of Honor at the same ceremony from President Gerald R. Ford in a White House ceremony on March 6, 1976.

Tom Norris lost an eye and part of his skull during the combat in which he was rescued by Michael Thornton. As a result of the head injury, he retired from the Navy. He then spent three years recovering from his injuries in the hospital and over a six year period underwent many major surgeries. In 1979, Norris joined the FBI and requested a waiver for his disabilities. FBI director William Webster responded, "If you can pass the same test as anybody else applying for this organization, I will waive your disabilities." In September 1979, Norris passed the test and subsequently served as an FBI agent for 20 years. He was an original member of the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team as an assault team leader.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a SEAL Advisor with the Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team, Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. During the period 10 to 13 April 1972, Lieutenant Norris completed an unprecedented ground rescue of two downed pilots deep within heavily controlled enemy territory in Quang Tri Province. Lieutenant Norris, on the night of 10 April, led a five-man patrol through 2,000 meters of heavily controlled enemy territory, located one of the downed pilots at daybreak, and returned to the Forward Operating Base (FOB). On 11 April, after a devastating mortar and rocket attack on the small FOB, Lieutenant Norris led a three man team on two unsuccessful rescue attempts for the second pilot. On the afternoon of the 12th, a Forward Air Controller located the pilot and notified Lieutenant Norris. Dressed in fishermen disguises and using a sampan, Lieutenant Norris and one Vietnamese traveled throughout that night and found the injured pilot at dawn. Covering the pilot with bamboo and vegetation, they began the return journey, successfully evading a North Vietnamese patrol. Approaching the FOB, they came under heavy machine gun fire. Lieutenant Norris called in an air strike which provided suppression fire and a smoke screen, allowing the rescue party to reach the FOB. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, undaunted courage, and selfless dedication in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Norris enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Honors:

The Naval Special Warfare Group Two in Little Creek, Virginia is located in the Lt. Thomas R. Norris Building.

Norris' Medal of Honor actions have been re-told in numerous books and in the feature film Bat*21, which was the call sign for a EB-66C from the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (42 TEWS), 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Korat, Thailand. The aircraft was shot down while flying pathfinder escort for a cell of three B-52 bombing near the Demilitarized Zone.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

 

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS))))

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Thomas R Norris ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...any improvement in the weather for Blue?

Not much sun today, but melting continues. Thank goodness, my lawn is really showing now. Hopefully the yard snow will be all gone in a couple weeks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...heroes we must remember.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

I hope you got a good night’s sleep last night and had a good day.

Did it break 50 degrees up there today? The last time someone posted a weather report in Lake Hood chat was at 2:30 your time and it was 48 then. Lotsa snow melt going on. Ice on the lake too. It’s slushy on the surface and even some standing water.

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Still enjoying spring weather? Does Robin have this year’s projects list written up yet? LOL

[The Mayor]

April 1

More Than Skin Deep

Bible in a Year:

• Judges 13–15
• Luke 6:27–49

Oh, what joy for those . . . whose sin is put out of sight!

Psalm 32:1

nlt

José, a young believer in Jesus, was visiting his brother’s church. As he entered the sanctuary prior to the service, his brother’s face fell when he saw him. José’s tattoos, covering both arms, were visible since he was wearing a T-shirt. His brother told him to go home and put on a long-sleeved shirt, for many of José’s tattoos reflected the ways of his past. José suddenly felt dirty. But another man overheard the brothers’ interaction and brought José to the pastor, telling him what had happened. The pastor smiled and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a large tattoo on his chest—something from his own past. He assured José that because God had made him pure from the inside out, he didn't need to cover his arms.

David experienced the joy of being made pure by God. After confessing his sin to Him, the king wrote, “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (Psalm 32:1 nlt). He could now “shout for joy” with others “whose hearts are pure!” (v. 11 nlt). The apostle Paul later quoted Psalm 32:1–2 in Romans 4:7–8, a passage declaring that faith in Jesus leads to salvation and a pure standing before Him (see Romans 4:23–25). 

Our purity in Jesus is much more than skin deep, for He knows and purifies our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 John 1:9). May we rejoice in His purifying work today. Reflect & Pray

What past sins have you struggled with? What does it mean to be transformed and purified by faith in Jesus?

Jesus, thank You for forgiving my sins and making me pure within.

For further study, read The Weight of Sin.

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy! Thanks again for another bio.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...hope you are warming up and drying out. Has planting happened at your farm?

I went to Dot’s 95th birthday party earlier, so I’m behind on work, but it was a lot of fun. Just friends talking amongst themselves about times past. Most have known her forever.

[PROCON]

Hi radu!

We've had sunny 80 degree days here the past week, no complaining.

Robin is gone for a week visiting daughter in MD, will return Wednesday so I've been visiting and feeding the pups; I've been maintaining the lawn and flowers too and getting a bit of sun, hanging out with son too when he isn't busy.

Howz things your way, getting museum time? Lots of folks showing up?

[radu]

Glad you had a good time at Dot’s birthday party. Nice to spend some time with friends and forget about work for a while. You’ve known Dot a long time.

Back to the grindstone again though. :-(

Not warming up yet at all. It was sunny when I woke up but the wind was whipping, making our 63 degrees feel a lot cooler. I’d planned to mow this afternoon but cancelled that plan as soon as I looked out the window.
It got cloudy and dark for a couple of hours as the cold front came through, then the sun came back out. Still too windy to mow. I just wasn’t in the mood to look like a Chia Pet today. LOL

Cool most of the week, then we’ll get back into low 70s by week’s end. With rain chances. *sigh*

No planting here for a while yet. The winter wheat just went to seed the past week and it’ll be a while before it can be harvested. As soon as it’s gone, soybeans can go out.

[Kathy in Alaska]

It was just above 50 and sunny when I left for Dot’s house, but it’s mid 40s now, completely cloudy, and the wind keeps coming and going.

Sleep was a bit better.

Lots of work to do this evening.

[luvie]

Thomas Rolland Norris
born January 14, 1944-Jacksonville, FL
Retired United States Navy SEAL
...and Medal of Honor Recipient
for ground rescue
with the help of Petty Officer Third Class Nguyen Van Kiet
of two downed pilots in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam
on April 10-13 1972.
Saluting this wonderful, brave hero!
Thanks for bringing us his story, Kathy! 🇺🇸

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you have all your ducks in a row and are ready to take on the new week.

Hope you enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend.

[radu]

Ooooo, lucky you! I wish 80 degrees would come back here! Heck, 70 would be nice. LOL

It sounds like you’ve had a good week. It’s nice to get outside again after being cooped up all winter, even if it means mowing and such. :-) I imagine the pups enjoy playing in the yard when you’re there too.

Been a bit cool and windy here lately. I did get some saplings and vines whacked last week that needed to be taken out. That project will take a while.

Still a little slow at the museum but it’s picking up. Had three tours this weekend with vets and had a blast with them. Had fun with the folks who weren’t vets too.
Had free time to get a little cleaning done so now it’s spiffy again.

[radu]

YAY!!!!!! It made it to 50 at last! Now if those clouds will just drop some decent rain to help wash more snow away. There are scattered rain showers in the area now but they’re light. At least they aren’t snow showers.

Glad you got a little more sleep. I guess there won’t be much tonight since you’ll be getting things ready for Hell Week tonight. I wish you luck!

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

I see you survived the sweltering day. :-)