Abbot (DD 628) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE CAPTAIN i Hailing from Earlville, Iowa, Commander Norman joined the Navy in 1937. Since then his career has been one of rich experience and rapid advancement. By the outbreak of World War II, Seaman Norman had advanced to Chief Boatswain ' s Mate. On the fateful day of 7 December 1941 he was serving aboard the USS Nevada (BB 36) in Pearl Harbor. January 1942 saw Norman advanced to War- rant Boatswain, and in October 1943 he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Between 1942 and 1948 Commander Nor- man served in many capacities. Included were the Deep Sea Diving School in Washington, D. C, salvage work on the east coast and in the Philippines, and an instructorship at the Sal- vage Divers School. These activities terminated with a two-year tour of duty in San Francisco as Ship Salvage Officer of the 12th Naval District based at Hunter ' s Point. In addition. Captain Norman has seized as Operations Officer of the USS Turner (DDR 834) and Executive Officer aboard the USS Rooks (DD 804). He attended Iowa State College for one year under the HoUoway Plan and the General Line School in Monterey, California. In 1956 he was a student in the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College. This was followed by two years of duty on the War College Staff during which he was selected for Commander. His first command was the USS Recoveiy ( ARS 43) out of Panama, and in July 1959 he assumed command of Long Ears, the USS Abbot (DD629). Captain Norman was married in June 1943 to the former Miss Agnes Strum, RN, of Mar- tinsville, West Virginia. The Normans have four boys and make tlieir home at 357 Turner Road, Middletown, Rhode Island. Addressing the crew cm the fantail Taking the ship alongside I can remember the day . . . % x

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73 V C ' GON(j 56 - l . ' iSt 22 I4« 108 ' ) ' 127 7 86 123 ' 47,. '

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AT ALL TIMES . . . AND HIS FORESIGHT . . . WERE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL