Thomas Rolland Norris

Led ground rescues to bring two downed airmen back to safety

Thomas Rolland Norris was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on 14 January 1944. He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1967 and enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve that September. After entering active duty in January 1968, he was commissioned an ensign in March. He trained at Little Creek, served with SEAL Team Two and later joined the U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam. He became a lieutenant in April 1971.

From 10 to 13 April 1972, Norris led ground rescues in Quang Tri Province to recover two downed American airmen. After bringing Mark Clark to safety, he continued searching for Iceal Hambleton. Enemy attacks on the forward operating base and unsuccessful rescue attempts had not ended the effort. Norris and South Vietnamese naval commando Nguyen Van Kiet traveled through enemy territory in a sampan disguised as fishermen. They found Hambleton, concealed him beneath vegetation and began the return journey. When machine-gun fire threatened their approach to the base, Norris called an air strike that provided cover for their escape.

On 31 October 1972, Norris was gravely wounded during another combat mission and was rescued by fellow SEAL Michael Thornton. His injuries required prolonged treatment and reconstructive surgery. He was medically retired from the Navy as a lieutenant on 1 May 1975. President Gerald R. Ford presented his Medal of Honor at the White House on 4 March 1976, with Thornton among those present.

In 1979, after receiving a disability waiver, Norris joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He served for twenty years and became an original member of its Hostage Rescue Team, working as an assault team leader before retiring from the Bureau.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a SEAL Advisor with the Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team, Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. During the period 10 to 13 April 1972, Lieutenant Norris completed an unprecedented ground rescue of two downed pilots deep within heavily controlled enemy territory in Quang Tri Province. Lieutenant Norris, on the night of 10 April, led a five-man patrol through 2,000 meters of heavily controlled enemy territory, located one of the downed pilots at daybreak, and returned to the Forward Operating Base (FOB). On 11 April, after a devastating mortar and rocket attack on the small FOB, Lieutenant Norris led a three man team on two unsuccessful rescue attempts for the second pilot. On the afternoon of the 12th, a Forward Air Controller located the pilot and notified Lieutenant Norris. Dressed in fishermen disguises and using a sampan, Lieutenant Norris and one Vietnamese traveled throughout that night and found the injured pilot at dawn. Covering the pilot with bamboo and vegetation, they began the return journey, successfully evading a North Vietnamese patrol. Approaching the FOB, they came under heavy machine gun fire. Lieutenant Norris called in an air strike which provided suppression fire and a smoke screen, allowing the rescue party to reach the FOB. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, undaunted courage, and selfless dedication in the face of extreme danger, Lieutenant Norris enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.