Norm enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at 18, graduated from Naval flight school, was assigned to the Marine Corps, and served until 1969, flying 393 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Norm’s decorations include a Silver Star (Korea) and a Gold Star in lieu of a 2nd Silver Star (Vietnam) and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses (PBJ bombers WWII/helicopters Korea). The Korean War Silver Star was awarded for rescuing a downed airman in enemy-held territory. Despite grave hazards, Norm volunteered to fly an unarmed helicopter into an area infested with enemy troops to attempt the rescue. Despite a radio damaged by intense automatic weapons fire, he continued the search until locating the downed pilot. With the enemy 100 yards from the doomed airman, Norm flew directly into continuous ground fire to effect his rescue. His Vietnam War Silver Star was for leading 17 helicopters in 3 successive assaults transporting a Vietnamese battalion into an unsecured landing zone under intense automatic weapons fire from 2 Viet Cong companies. Despite damage to his aircraft and many others from enemy fire during the 1st landing, Norm continued the assault to prevent the annihilation of the Vietnamese troops. Disregarding his own safety leading the 2nd landing, Norm kept his aircraft exposed broadside to the heaviest enemy fire, giving his gunner full opportunity to deliver suppressive fire as wounded troops were evacuated. Although the volume of enemy fire increased, causing numerous casualties, Norm returned a third time with the remnants of his squadron to successfully complete the landing of the assault troops, again taking the most exposed position in the landing zone for his helicopter. Norm’s son Dick Ewers and his grandson Gary Ewers were also career Marine Corps aviators. Norm is 94 years old and resides in Irvine.