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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Clinton Norman (ASN: 0-59296), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Norman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 September 1966 while serving as Commanding Officer of Detachment B-52, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during an aerial medical evacuation mission in Tay Ninh Province. When Colonel Norman received word that a reconnaissance patrol had been attacked and surrounded by a numerically superior Viet Cong force, he rapidly boarded a rescue helicopter and was soon over the beleaguered element. although the pilot warned of the great danger in the landing zone, which was constantly receiving intense hostile machine gun and rifle fire, Colonel Norman dauntlessly directed the pilot to descend and hover over the patrol When the aircraft was still 15 feet above the ground, he jumped out, unarmed, with the free end of the recovery hoist line. Heedless of the gradually closing insurgents, Colonel Norman helped a seriously wounded man to the hoist and secured him. As the soldier was lifted aboard, Colonel Norman shouted to the team members to move to another landing zone, then grabbed another hoist line, and remained suspended beneath the helicopter as it left the dangerous area. His courageous actions not only saved the casualty, but diverted Viet Cong attention from the other patrol members, enabling them to escape the trap and be evacuated from another pickup point. Lieutenant Colonel Norman’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    31st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    7th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 26, 1952
    Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 38 (January 27, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) William Clinton Norman (ASN: 0-59296), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Mundung-ni, Korea. On 26 January 1952, Lieutenant Norman volunteered as patrol leader for a platoon size combat patrol from Company G, 31st Infantry Regiment. The objective of the patrol was to neutralize an enemy held platoon size bunker that had offered stubborn and determined resistance, and to capture prisoners for interrogation. Advancing to the vicinity of the enemy emplacement, Lieutenant Norman directed the placement of an automatic rifle team to cover the entrance of the bunker. In an effort to draw the enemy out of their secure position, Lieutenant Norman exposed himself to heavy grenade fire of the enemy by proceeding tot heir location through a communications trench. Upon reaching the bunker, he hurled rocks at the door of the bunker in hopes the distraction would dislodge the occupants, however, he was met by a shower of hand grenades. Realizing the determination of the enemy, Lieutenant Norman directed the employment of a flame thrower to burn the enemy out of their fortification. Due to a mechanical failure attributed to the extreme cold, the flame thrower failed to operate properly. Without hesitation Lieutenant Norman took over the weapon himself and remedied the malfunction. He then moved completely exposed to hostile fire, to within ten yards of the bunker and employed the flame thrower to its greatest effectiveness. While thus exposed, Lieutenant Norman was wounded by an enemy hand grenade, but continued to employ the weapon until the fuel supply was completely exhausted. The intrepid actions of Lieutenant Norman undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades and was instrumental in the complete destruction of the enemy emplacement. The gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Norman reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    July 1969 – September 1972
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Clinton Norman (ASN: 0-59296), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1969 to September 1972 while serving consecutively as a member of the Special Operations Branch, Chiefs of the Special Operations Branch, and Chief of the Special Operations Division, Operations Directorate, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D. C. During this period of service, Colonel Norman continuously demonstrated the highest professional competence and personal traits and consistently directed his responsibilities with an exceptional degree of skill and resourcefulness. Throughout his tour of duty as a special operations staff officer, he was tapped with preparing recommended policies, plans and requirements for the accomplishment of the special operations mission for the Joint Staff. He provided direction and guidance over critical classified special operations programs. His decisions and breadth of knowledge were the keys to solution of critical operational problems. He demonstrated himself to be an exceptionally outstanding joint planner in the internal areas by assisting in the development of the highly sensitive Son Tay Prisoner of War Raid concept. His unique qualifications and extensive background knowledge of Southeast Asia proved of exceptional value in satisfying the many administrative, planning and operational requirements essential to the successful accomplishment and Vietnamization of special operations programs. Colonel Norman’s outstanding personal leadership and professional competence earned him the trust and confidence of his superiors, the esteem of his contemporaries, and the loyalties of his subordinates. His extraordinary performance and intense devotion to duty significantly contributed to the accomplishment of the special operations mission. Colonel Norman’s performance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Joint Staff, and the Military Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    September 1966 – August 1967
    Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4213 (August 18, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Clinton Norman (ASN: 0-59296), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commanding Officer, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from September 1966 to August 1967. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Norman and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1976 – 1979
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) William Clinton Norman (ASN: 0-59296), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Inspector General, SIXTH Army, from 1976 to 1979. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Norman culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.