COL Norton
 

Stolen Valor is reporting the passing yesterday of COL (Ret) Charles Norton, Jr. Funeral with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the spring of 2014.

Retiring in 1981, he said in his retirement speech, "Thirty-five years... Was it worth it? Hell, yes!

I knew him as the 7th Group Commander in '75-'76. He was a very tall man, around 6'4" or 6'5", and showed up at a "function" wearing tennis shoes with a 5" lift added. He said, "I like to stand out and be seen in a crowd!" He was an outstanding officer and a legend in the community.

Rest In Peace, Sir!

RIP, Sir

RIP Col !!!!!!!

Rest in Peace COL.

RIP Sir, it was a pleasure knowing you. DOL!

Rest In Peace, Sir.

Thank you for your service!

Rest in Peace.

RIP Colonel Norton. He personally had a sit down discussion with every one of the proposed officers seeking to be granted a quota to SFOC with follow on assignment to the 7th Group. He expected officers to have a working knowledge of the roles and missions of Special Force, and be able to articulate that they knew the mission and meant duly to follow it. What he did not tolerate was an answer on the order of (and I heard this from another would-be SF candidate):

"Why do you want to be Special Forces?"

"Because they are the best."

(Reminds me of the Men In Black scene: "Because they are the best of the best of the best, sir!" followed by "You haven't a clue what the mission of this unit is").

Fortunately I had done my homework before reporting to Ft. Bragg and -- PCS'ing from Korea -- I could carry on a semi-logical discussion on indigenous forces and unconventional warfare. He was particularly satisfied that I had formed friendships with ROK soldiers and my KATUSA's.

And he was tall, and bald, but I don't know if that was natural or if he shaved his head.

RIP, Sir.

Anyone got a date on Arlington?

not post yet at http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/FuneralInformation/FuneralScheduleSearch.aspx

[QUOTE=bigmiska;1058357828]Anyone got a date on Arlington?[/QUOTE]

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