World War II Honoree

Russel Norris

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Pekin, Illinois

Honored By

Family

WHEN PEARL HARBOR WAS ATTACKED IN 1941 HE ENLISTED AS AN AVIATION CADET. DURING WWII AND AFTER HIS REQUIRED TOUR OF DAYLIGHT COMBAT MISSIONS WAS COMPLETED, HE FLEW VOLUNTARILY, SOLO HIGH ALTITUDE NIGHT MISSIONS OVER EUROPE, PHOTOGRAPHING RADAR IMAGES OF TARGETS FOR THE 9TH AIR FORCE TO ASSIST BOMBARDIERS LOCATE THEIR TARGETS ON DAYLIGHT MISSIONS. HE DID THIS UNTIL THE WAR'S END. ALTHOUGH A HIGH ALTITUDE BOMBER PILOT AT THE TIME AND AFTER HIS COMBAT TOUR WAS COMPLETED, HE VOLUNTEERED FOR LOW LEVEL B-17 MISSIONS OVER NORMANDY ON D-DAY, IN SUPPORT OF GROUND FORCES LANDING ON THE BEACHES.