Kenneth Norton

Kenneth George Norton was born June 20, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois the son of Tracy George and Helen Hochleutner Norton. His mother died when he was 9 years old, and he was raised by his father and grandparents, George and Mabel Norton. His father signed the papers for him to go into the military when he was 17 years of age and a junior at an all-boys high school, Tilden Technical in Chicago. When he returned from WWII, he was given his diploma on June 28, 1946. Kenneth enlisted on June 21, 1943, at Great Lakes, Illinois. He went to Sonerman School at Key West, Florida and earned his operations certificate. Soon he was on his way to the Pacific on a brand new destroyer escort ship, the USS Swearer where he served with the Navy's 3rd, 5th and 7th fleets. His World War II medals were the American Campaign medal, the Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon (1 silver star and 2 bronze stars) Philippine Liberation Ribbon (1 star) and the Okinawa Invasion Ribbon (1 star). Ken was discharged on February 27, 1946. He also received the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation award, as well as the State of Illinois Citation certificate. He was injured by shrapnel on the foot but refused the Purple Heart. He signed up for the Korean War on January 31, 1950, and was stationed on the USS Bataan (CVL-29), Helicopter Anti-Submarine in Squadron Four at San Ysidro, California. His awards were the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Medal. Ken was honorably discharged on December 1, 1953. While he was on the Battan, which aided Katrina Hurrican victims, he crossed over the Ruler of the 180 Meridian twice on November 23, 1950, and again on August 16, 1952. Ken survived "The Big Blow" of 1944 off the waters of the Philippines, one of the worst storms in the history of the Navy. He was on the DE USS Swearer and was able to refuel. His boat went at a 73-degree angle and knocked him into the big grey wall on his can. The best of his 7 war years included a dance with Ester Williams when he was stationed in California. "Her dress was backless, so I had to get out my handkerchief to hold her", he said. She asked him for the dance! After the military years, he married Ms. Geneive (McLaughlin) Powers on Christmas Day at Norridgewock, Maine, at the home of her parents. Thereafter, they moved to the Boston area where Mr. Norton got his Machinist Diploma on June 6, 1959, from Newton School of Technology. He began his career with Raytheon, which spanned over a 40-year period. Ken was with the Charles Draper Laboratory for more than 10 years. He was in the research and development department for the Apollo program. He received several awards including "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration". The greatest honor was the Apollo Achievement Award for his dedication service. He lunched with the astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Ken worked on the Lunar Module's Traverse Gravimeter system and received that award. He also worked at MIT for 14 years, then returned to Raytheon where he helped work for the Trident Missle systems. He also worked on the first space shuttle, Alantis, during the guidance system. He was promoted to "Instrument Maker" on December 28, 1976. Ken entered into eternal rest on December 20, 2006, at Mountain Home, Arkansas, at the age of 80 years and six months. Survivors: His wife:Kay, 1 Daughter:Connie Freeman of New Jersey, 2 sons:Tracy Norton of Bridgewater, Massachusetts,Jordan Powers of Brookline, Massachusetts, His stepchildren:John Stephens, Jody Morris and Jalana Miller, 1 Aunt:Ruth Beard of Viola, Illinois Sister-in-law:Connie Robinson of Alexandria, Virginia and 6 Grandchildren. Preceded in Death by: His first wife Geneva. Funeral: Graveside Services were held on December 23, 2006 at Kirby's Tucker Memorial Cemetery, Mountain Home, Arkansas with Reverend Louis Stephens and the North Central Arkansas Veteran's Council, Ozark VFW Post 3246 honor Guard officiating. Burial: Entombment was in Kirby's Tucker Memorial Mausoleum Memorials: Muscular Dystrophy Association