Author Archives: jenorv

About jenorv

John E. Norvell is a retired Air Force Lt Colonel, decorated air combat veteran of the Vietnam War, and former Assistant Professor of American and Military History at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has written freelance for the Washington Post, the Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, and for several newspapers around the country.

Coming Home

Posted on April 18, 2024 by jenorv

In his remarkable memoir of the Second World War: Quartered Safe Out Here, George MacDonald Fraser shares his experiences in the Burma Campaign as a 19-year-old private in the Border Regiment fighting the Japanese during 1944-45. In this work, he … Continue reading →

Posted in American History | Tagged Coming Home, F-4 GIB, F-4 Phantom, PTSD, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam War | Leave a comment

The Road to the Future

Posted on January 30, 2024 by jenorv

In 1966 I was commissioned a 2nd Lt. through my college ROTC program, and then went to graduate school. While there my vision changed and I could no longer pass a flight physical. By 1968, I went on active duty at Bolling … Continue reading →

Posted in American History | Tagged Air Force, Brown Bars, Mather AFB, military, Navigator Training, news, politics, T-29, Undergraduate Navigator Training, writing | Leave a comment

Today’s Topic: Flight Surgeons

Posted on January 7, 2024 by jenorv

Flight Surgeon (FS) – the term elicited two responses from many jocks: Don’t see him unless you have to do it, and do not volunteer any information on your health. My first experience with a FS surgeon occurred in graduate … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Force, Air Force lingo, American History, Fighter Aircraft, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged Flight physicals, Flight status, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Vietnam War | 4 Comments

Three Special Gifts for Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2023 by jenorv

The following piece appeared in the Finger Lakes Times in Geneva, NY Dec 23, 2023 The holiday season is a time of great expectations, which often are not fulfilled. When one experiences a special Christmas, it is a gift of great … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Christmas, Christmas gifts | Tagged 13 TFS, AF Units Thailand, blog, Canandaigua, Christmas, family, Hannibal NY, Holidays, winter | 1 Comment

Once again we revisit the Christmas from Hades

Posted on December 22, 2023 by jenorv

Posted in American History | Leave a comment

A day in November and Beyond

Posted on November 22, 2023 by jenorv

In 1963, I was a sophomore at Hobart. Thanksgiving was around the corner, with a well-appreciated break from the usual round of studying, tests, and college life. On Friday, November 22, 1963, I was crossing the Hobart Quad going to … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Norvell Family History | Tagged Hobart College, JFK Death, RFK Death | 1 Comment

October 1973

Posted on October 27, 2023 by jenorv

From the end of May to 15 August 1973, I flew 42 combat missions totaling nearly 112 hours. That was the focus of everyday—combat: brief, refuel, bomb, and RTB. Now the war was over and we flew only training missions … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, American History, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo, Fighter pilot slang, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB | Tagged F-4 depot, Taipei, Taiwan | Leave a comment

My Navy – An interesting look at another service

Posted on September 5, 2023 by jenorv

As an Air Force F-4 fighter backseater, I knew little about the Navy. I had gleaned a bit from movies such as “Officer and a Gentleman” and the two “Top Guns,” but that was it. Even though I taught military … Continue reading →

Posted in American History | Leave a comment

50 years ago – the end of air combat over Cambodia – some thoughts

Posted on August 12, 2023 by jenorv

This year is a significant anniversary for me. First, 55 years ago-1968, I entered active duty as a new Air Force 2nd lieutenant stationed in Washington, DC. I had planned to go to flight training, but my vision changed, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, American History, Cambodia bombing 1973, Combat, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Norvell Family History, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam War | Tagged Bombing mission, WSO | 5 Comments

Buying the Farm

Posted on July 19, 2023 by jenorv

22 July 1973 started like any other bombing mission. We were fragged to go down and meet with a FAC near Phnom Pehn, Cambodia and deliver our bombs in an effort to stop the Khmer Rouge from taking power. We … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, Air Force lingo, American History, Cambodia bombing 1973, Combat, F-4 Phantom II, F4 emergency, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged Buy the Farm | 4 Comments