West Virginia Pioneers

Col John Bernard Norvell, Jr

Male 1927 - 1985  (58 years)


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  • Name John Bernard Norvell 
    Prefix Col 
    Suffix Jr 
    Born 15 Mar 1927  Maryland Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    Died 25 Sep 1985  [1
    Buried Montgomery County, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 

    • Col John Bernard Norvell, Jr
      Birth: Mar. 15, 1927
      Death: Sep. 25, 1985
      John Bernard Norvell, Jr. was born in Towson, Maryland on 15 March 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the Army of the United States.
      His West Point classmates recall: "A Rebel at heart, John arrived at West Point after spending twenty-eight months in the Infantry which he plans to get back into after graduation. His main interests are photography and women, with photography in the lesser position. Believing that a tenth ahead is a tenth wasted, John has not earned any stars. He has however, earned many friends and should do well after he enters the Army."
      During his cadet days John was with the Debate Council and the Ski Club plebe and yearling years; went out for Tennis yearling year; was on the Public Information Detail yearling and cow years; went out for Soccer and Squash cow year; was with the Camera Club cow and first class years; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year.
      Upon graduation John went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to the 27th Infantry, 40th Division in Korea in 1952, served until 1953 and was decorated with the Commendation Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1952 John was named Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General, 6th Army and served as such until 1954. In 1958 John earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M and was assigned to Office, Chief of Engineers where he served from 1959 to 1961. In 1962 John attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and on completion received orders to Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam, served until 1963 and was decorated with a second Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy. John's next assignment was to Brigade Headquarters, 3rd Armored Division in Germany as Battalion Commander, where he served from 1964 to 1966. Then from 1966 to 1968 John served with the Limited War Laboratory from where he went to the Navy War College in 1969.
      In 1969 John was appointed Deputy Commanding Officer of the 1st Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division, Republic of Vietnam and he served until 1970. In 1970 John was assigned to The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia.
      John died at Columbus, Ohio on 25 September 1985. Mrs. John B. Norvell (Jane) makes her home in Columbus.
      _________________________
      His father John Benjamin Norvell was a first cousin of the movie comedian and star, Oliver Norvell Hardy.
      Family links:
      Parents:
      John Benjamin Norvell (1886 - 1941)
      Spouse:
      Helen Jane Bush Norvell (1932 - 2014)*
      Sibling:
      John Bernard Norvell (1927 - 1985)
      Benjamin Curry Norvell (1929 - 1983)*
      *Calculated relationship
      COL, US ARMY
      Burial:
      Dayton National Cemetery
      Dayton
      Montgomery County
      Ohio, USA
      Plot: 13, 03, 14
      GPS (lat/lon): 39.74544, -84.26719
      Maintained by: Jenorv
      Originally Created by: US Veterans Affairs Offi...
      Record added: Feb 26, 2000
      Find A Grave Memorial# 1038813
    Person ID I107289  WVPioneers
    Last Modified 13 Nov 2014 

    Family Helen Jane Bush,   b. 22 Feb 1932, Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Feb 2014, Franklin County, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years) 
    Married 24 May 1958  [2
    Family ID F27264  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S898] Gravestone or Memorial posted on Findagrave.com.

    2. [S21] Obit.