The United States Air Force and Army Air Corps Story Archive preserves the experiences of Norwood residents who served in the skies and supported America’s military aviation missions. From the pioneering days of the Army Air Corps and the Army Air Forces during World War II to the establishment of the United States Air Force in 1947 and beyond, these stories reflect the courage, innovation, and dedication of local men and women who served their country through air power.
This archive features photographs, documents, newspaper articles, military records, mission histories, and personal recollections that help tell the stories of Norwood’s airmen. Whether serving as pilots, navigators, mechanics, crew members, or support personnel, their contributions played an important role in some of the most significant events in modern military history.
If you or a family member served in the Army Air Corps, Army Air Forces, or the United States Air Force, or if you have photographs, letters, documents, memories, or other materials related to a Norwood airman, we invite you to share them with the Norwood Historical Society. Community contributions help preserve these stories and ensure that the service, achievements, and sacrifices of Norwood’s aviation veterans continue to be remembered and honored for generations to come.
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TSgt. Stephen P. Flaherty Returns After 35 Months In South Pacific-This Day in Norwood History-December 28, 1944
T-Sgt. Flaherty In San Francisco A telegram was received yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Flaherty from their son. T/Sgt. Stephen P. Flaherty. U. S. Army Air Forces, announcing his arrival in San Francisco after spending 35 months in the South Pacific. Sgt. Flaherty left the states in January. 1942. and landed in Australia.…
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Cpl. John W. Heylin Reunites With Cousin Major John D. St. John Overseas-This Day in Norwood History-December 27, 1944
15TH AAF IN ITALY — Major John D. St. John, a chaplain from Boston College, Newton, and his cousin, Cpl. John W. Heylin, son of Mr. and Mrs. David J. Heylin, 56 Railroad avenue, Norwood, have had several visits together overseas. They are with the Fifteenth Air Force in Italy. Chaplain St. John is Senior…
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Master Sergeant Sigyr R. Gustafson Wins Bronze Star Medal-This Day in Norwood History-December 26, 1944
AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION. England — Master Sergeant Sigyr R. Gustafson, 28, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Arvid Hermanson of Norwood, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, it was recently announced by Colonel James S. Sutton of Findlay. Ohio, commanding officer of the 306th Bomb Group. Sergeant Gustafson received the decoration for…
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First Lieutenant Harold L. Monahan Wins Cluster To Air Medal-This Day in Norwood History-December 21, 1944
AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE FIGHTER STATION. England — First Lieut. Harold L. Monahan, husband of Mrs. Ann E. Monahan of 11 Hillside avenue, Norwood, has beèn awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for ‘exceptional meritorious service in aerial flight over enemy-occupied Continental Europe.” it has been disclosed by General Orders. A P-51…
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Air Medal Is Awarded To First Lt F. Gordon Allen. Jr.-This Day in Norwood History-December 16, 1944
Air Medal Is Awarded Local Bomber Pilot Lieut. Allen In Central Pacific AAF. PACIFIC OCEAN AREAS. Central Pacific — First Lt F. Gordon Allen. Jr., of 281 Winter street, Norwood, has been awarded the Air Medal for 7th AAF medium bombardment missions in the Central Pacific. The 7th AAF ceremony at which he received the…
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Ray Pendergast Is Promoted To First Lieutenant-This Day in Norwood History-December 12, 1944
AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION. England- Promotion of Raymond G. Pendergast, 22, of Norwood, Mass., from flight officer to First Lieutenant, has been announced at the 388th Bomber Group, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Chester C. Cox of Superior. Wisc. Lieut. Pendergast is co-pilot of an Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress that has been…
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Lieutenant John L. Rowen Promoted With 8th Air Force-This Day in Norwood History-December 11, 1944
AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION. England— The promotion of John L. Rowen. 22, of Norwood, from second lieutenant to first lieutenant has been announced at this Eighth Air Force bomber base by his group commander, Colonel Elbert Helton, of San Antonio, Texas. Lt. Rowen, the co-pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress, has participated in…
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Air Medal Is Awarded To Lieutenant Philip R. Howard-This Day in Norwood History-December 11, 1944
AN EIGHTH AIR FORCE BOMBER STATION. England — Second Lieutenant Philip R. Howard. 19. of Norwood, co-pilot on a B-17 Flying Fortress, has been awarded the Air Medal for “meritorious achievement . . coolness, courage and skill” during Eighth Air Force bombing attacks on Nazi war-making installations. The Norwood airman is a member of the…
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Sgt. John Leahy Writes From Nazi Prison Camp-This Day in Norwood History-March 31, 1944
One of Norwood’s heroes, of the present war who, as an engineer gunner on a Flying Fortress carried the war home to the Nazi only to be forced to bail out over enemy territory, is well and as happy as can be expected under the circumstances, according to letters received by his mother which told…
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Capt. George T Lee in Action Over 5th Army BeachheadThis Day in Norwood History-February 11, 1944
This column is indebted to Corporal Roger P Flaherty for a copy of “Stars and Stripes”, Italy edition, which carries the account of Captain George Lee’s P-12 Squadron over the 5th Army beachhead. Reads Stars and Stripes account: “Allied Air Forces of the Mediterranean, in their busiest day since the Salerno landings, flew 1300 sorties…
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