MAJ(R) Norman Lambert, 88, of Galloway, OH passed away on 20 October 2019. Norm first entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1947 at the age of 17, as a communications specialist.
Norm served in the Korean War with the 1st Marine Division between 1951 and 1953. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. After recovering from his wounds, Norm served a second tour in Korea and was wounded in action again and received his second Purple Heart and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his valorous actions in the defense of an outpost that was overrun during a night attack by Chinese forces.
After the Korean War, Norm separated from the U.S. Marine Corps, but missed the military life and attempted to reenlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, but he was told that they were not taking any married men. He enlisted with the U.S. Army. Norm attended Airborne School in 1963 and then went on to complete the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Norm served in the Vietnam War with the 5th SFG(A) and was awarded again with the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. He returned for a second tour in Vietnam with the 1st Bn, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for saving the lives of two of his patrol members who were wounded and trapped in a minefield. He made two trips through heavy enemy fire and the minefield to rescue them. Later during this same tour, Norm earned his third Bronze Star Medal for Valor.
After completing Sergeants Major Academy Norm was asked to teach battlefield tactics at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point. He taught classes from 1977 to 1978. He taught the first classes which had female cadets. When he was ready to retire as a Master Sergeant the school asked him to apply for a reserve commission. With a recommendation from LTG Poindexter he was commissioned at the rank of Major.
After military retirement, Norm taught as an Adjunct Professor for Columbus State Community College. He also taught and was assistant principal at Grove City High School for over ten years and earned the Assistant Principal of the Year award for the State of Ohio in 1993. Norm was a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor. He also served as Historian for Ohio’s chapter of the Tuskegee Airman and served as President of the SFA Chapter XLV from 2007-08.
Norm spent his summers traveling Europe collecting photos, paintings, letters and other artwork from the World Wars. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, his son SGM(R) Richard, sisters Myra and Yvonne, grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.