Winter 2014: First Issue! Volume 1, Number 1 Published quarterly by the Norton Air Force Base Museum, San Bernardino, California ake off on a flight to adventure! Head out on a mission to history when a small airport was transformed into the largest employer in the City and County of San Bernardino … Norton Air Force Base, named for native son, Captain Leland Norton. Norton T stories spanned the world and influenced events to this very day. Details inside. (A C-141B Starlifter takes off from Norton AFB in the 1980s – U.S. National Archives photo.) 1 The Norton Air Force Base Museum is a private, nonprofit organization not part of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or Department of the Air Force, the Inland Valley Development Agency or any government agency. Newsletter contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the NAFBM or its board of directors. The appearance of advertising and sponsorships does not constitute endorsement by the NAFBM. Contents: Message from the Museum President Robert Edwards ……. 3 From an empty room toward a commemorative community resource: How it was done. Editor’s note: Gary Jacobs ……. 6 I thought I knew all about Norton history. Turns out there’s a lot more … a lot more. Anniversaries: 20 Years since Norton AFB Closure This is a story with a beginning, then another beginning, then another and another. It’s never really over, even when it’s over. Much was asked of the City and County of San Bernardino, and each gave generously of its resources and people, and helped transform America. This is what happened: 1. In the Beginning ……. 8 2. BRAC to the Future: Closure ……. 19 3. Rebirth: Inland Valley Development Association ……. 22 The Hanoi Taxi Story The first pilot in to fly POWs out tells what it was like to make history. ……. 24 February: Black History Month Tuskegee Airman at Norton: From an Ohio orphanage to Norton base commander ……. 35 March: Women’s History Month Women in the Air Force or WAF Band, in time, in step, into history …….. 41 Captain Norton’s Footlocker ……. 45 Chow Hound ……. 46 Norton for Kids ……. 47 Legal stuff ……. 49 2 The Norton Air Force Base Museum is a private, nonprofit organization not part of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or Department of the Air Force, the Inland Valley Development Agency or any government agency. Newsletter contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the NAFBM or its board of directors. The appearance of advertising and sponsorships does not constitute endorsement by the NAFBM. A message from the NAFBM President … We’re open on March 13, 2013! Left to right, San Bernardino City Council member Fred Shorett; Catherine Pritchett, IVDA; Col. Gary Underwood, USAF, (ret.); Bob Edwards, NAFB Museum President, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gozales; San Bernardino Mayor Patrick J. Morris; San Bernardino City Council Member Virginia Marquez. Photo by Ricardo Tomboc. 3 The Norton Air Force Base Museum is a private, nonprofit organization not part of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or Department of the Air Force, the Inland Valley Development Agency or any government agency. Newsletter contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the NAFBM or its board of directors. The appearance of advertising and sponsorships does not constitute endorsement by the NAFBM. he year was 2012, the month was about April and it was to be the beginning of an unbelievable journey for a dynamic group of volunteer strangers who quickly banded together to form an T unbelievable team of visionaries. Yes, visionaries as they were challenged to do what many thought was an impossible or improbable task of developing a museum in honor of a major USAF base that had closed almost 20 years prior and was named after a young USAAF Officer who was a local hero having lost his life on a bombing mission in a faraway country during WW II. But before I begin with that story, it is time for a commercial. This first (winter) addition of the Norton Flier is a classic example of the devotion to excellence that is displayed throughout the entire Norton AFB Museum and Veterans Memorial. Our Editor has the same vision as each of the Board Members and volunteers, only he has the ability to reflect it in print. This first edition and all sequent future additions of the Norton Flier are a true labor of love. The attention to detail is second to none, focus on accuracy, and professional journalism is not only reflective on the Editor but on the entire NAFBM Team. Continuing the story…As the Board of Directors began their quest, a common vision started to surface among them. Defining the necessary initial steps to be taken was not an easy task to overcome yet it happened without bloodshed. Aligning those steps came next and resulted in the adoption of our Mission Statement, ―To preserve, honor and promote the history of Norton Air Force Base.‖ Some of the Board Members had talents that they did not know they had, others had to dust off their attributes having been retired for any number of years. Coupled to this effort was the fact that the Inland Valley Development Agency was willing to be supportive in more ways than ever realized. Our biggest asset was the assigned advisor the IVDA allowed to help, guide, assist, suggest, and physicality work with us to achieve this common goal that was before us. Fast forwarding to January 2013, the Board of Directors felt it was time to set aside the mountain of plans, directions and focus on the Museum itself. We had a big empty room to that was molded into the brightest new star in San Bernardino. Nothing to display and nothing to display it on. But, there was no absence of heart. The call went out to the media that this newest attraction in town was starting to stir and the Museum needed to hear from the many military and civilians who once had a tie to Norton AFB at some point in their careers. In short, I asked for their ―stuff‖. I reminded everyone that the stuff we need could be found under their beds, in the back of their closets or in the rafters in the garages. I also reminder these same Nortonites they could not take this treasured ―stuff‖ with them on their next assignment, so I asked just what were they going to do with it? I suggested they bring it to the Museum and let us use it to tell the interesting, historical, and colorful story of Norton AFB. This approach worked beyond belief. So much so, that even today we continue to receive these treasured mementoes that often come with a story or two tied the stuff. What we have received in the short amount of time allowed us to open the Norton AFB Museum to the public March 13th, 2013, just about 80 days of highly focused effort. 4 The Norton Air Force Base Museum is a private, nonprofit organization not part of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or Department of the Air Force, the Inland Valley Development Agency or any government agency. Newsletter contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the NAFBM or its board of directors. The appearance of advertising and sponsorships does not constitute endorsement by the NAFBM. Needless to say, inside the museum was a beehive of activity with everyone including a band of most helpful volunteers from the 63rd / 445th Norton Veterans Group. Our Grand Opening on the 13th was enjoyed by more than 450 guests. During this time we also worked with a fantastic Friend / Donor / Sponsor and he constructed the Veterans Memorial just outside the Museum. Memorial bricks were sold for the Memorial and sales continue today too. There is lots of room for newly sold bricks. Fast forward to today. We are at the threshold of being open one year, March 2014! Additionally, the (former) Norton AFB will also be remembered as it will be closed in March 2014 for 20 years. These two milestones have now set the stage for many other chapters in the Norton Flier. I salute each of the Norton AFB Museum Board Members, current and past, who have given so much of their time and energy without it, we would still be in the planning stage. And the interesting volunteers who have also been devoted to this common goal, they too have carried more than their share of the responsibility in making the Norton AFB Museum a reality. Last but not least, I extend my sincere thank-you to all the Friends and Sponsors of this Museum. They have played a major part in the Museum creation and the entire team of Board of Directors thank you. Until next the next edition of the Norton Flier … bring us your “stuff”, and thank you for your interest in the Norton AFB Museum. Many things are ongoing or being planned for the short and long future, so stay tuned and watch our Website for updating. Bob Edwards President, Board of Directors Norton AFB Museum and President, 63rd / 445th Norton Veterans Group NAFBM Web site: http://www.nafbmuseum.org/ Hours: Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Address: 1601 3rd St. San Bernardino CA 92408 Message Ph: (909) 382-7307 e-mail: [email protected] C-141s in a line, ready to make history. (U.S. Air Force photo) 5 The Norton Air Force Base Museum is a private, nonprofit organization not part of the U.S.