Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Lauris
Norstad
March 24, 1907

–

September 12, 1988

Born:

Minneapolis

, 

Minnesota

Home:

Minneapolis

, 

Minnesota

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Lauris Norstad graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1930. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1963 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 1944 – October 1945
    War Department, General Orders No. 115 (December 8, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Corps) Lauris Norstad (ASN: 0-18158/25A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff, TWENTIETH Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations from August 1944 to October 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Norstad and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1956 – 1963
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-1 (January 4, 1963)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to General Lauris Norstad (ASN: 0-18158/25A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command, from 1956 top 1963. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Norstad 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 Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 9 (December 15, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Lauris Norstad (ASN: 0-18158/25A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as A-3 with Headquarters, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial operations North Africa, in 1942. At great personal risk, at an airdrome near Oran, Algeria, that was under constant hostile artillery fire and enemy bombardment, Colonel Norstad directed an initial tactical operation. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Norstad, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1942 – 1944
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Lauris Norstad (ASN: 0-18158/25A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with the TWELFTH Air Force, from 1942 to 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Norstad and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1946 – 1950
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Lauris Norstad (ASN: 0-18158/25A), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1946 to 1950. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Norstad and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1942 – 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 84 (October 28, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Corps) Lauris Norstad (ASN: 0-18158/25A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility with the TWELFTH Air Force, from 1942 to 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Norstad and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.