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1923
2012
NORMAN CLARK SCHROEDER LT. COL. USAF (RET.) Norman Clark Schroeder, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), was born on February 26, 1923 in Egg Harbor City, NJ to Fred and Mathilda (Grams) Schroeder and was the third youngest of nine children. Norman passed away on Oct. 24, 2012 in Oroville, CA, at the age of 89. He entered the US Army Air Corps in March 1941, earned his pilot's wings in November 1942, and became an Aircraft commander of B17's in the 8th Air Force by June 1943. Shot down and Missing-In-Action on September 16, 1943, he evaded capture inside occupied France, crossed the Pyrenees into Spain in mid-January 1944, and returned home safely to celebrate his 21st birthday with his family. He had already met Athelda Francoeur of Kankakee, IL while training at Chanute Field, IL. They married in October 1944 and recently celebrated their 68th anniversary. Norman pursued a career as a Regular Officer, Command Pilot, in the Regular US Air Force. His tours of duty overseas and home included assignments in Germany (Berlin airlift), France, the Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia and Texas. After almost 23 years of Military service, he retired to teach in the San Jose Unified School District until the Fall of 1980 when he and his wife moved to Oroville, CA. Military awards received included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, President Unit Citation, plus other service and longevity awards. Norman graduated from U. of Omaha (U. of Nebraska) while in the military. He belonged to 379th Bombardment Group, the Air Force Escape and Evasion Society, and Valley Ridge Military Officers Association of America. He enjoyed traveling with his family, woodworking, and reading. He is survived by his wife, Athelda F. Schroeder of Oroville, CA; daughter, Jo Anne S. Roters of Heinersreuth, Germany; sons, Norman C. Schroeder, Jr. of Los Alamos, NM and Thomas C. Schroeder of Oroville, CA, and three grandsons, Jean Marc Roters, Tyson N. Schroeder and Casey D. Schroeder. Internment will be with military honors at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery (Dixon, CA), on Nov. 1, 2012. Instead of flowers, we request donations be sent to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.
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2 Entries
I will always remember Norman Schroeder as an honorable, brilliant man with a fascinating life history. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Nancy BULTENA
June 14, 2013
J'avais rêvé de revoir un jour Norman et Toddy entrevus par une belle journée ensoleillée de 1953 devant la maison de mes parents à Messac en Bretagne.
Mais la Californie est si loin de la Bretagne !
Je garderai cependant en moi ces quelques images et photos, cette voix qui au fil de cassettes audio raconte l'épopée de ce jeune Américain de 20 ans et sa déterminaton absolue pour échapper à l'occupant Nazi.
Cette longue fugue qui grâce à sa volonté et à l'aide désintéressée de la population et de courageux Résistants et Résistantes, dont certains l'ont payé de leur vie, dura quatre mois pour s'achever par une très dure traversée des neiges et des eaux glacées des Pyrénées en Janvier 1944.
Ma pensée, notre pensée, notre affection vont à Toddy, à leurs enfants et petits-enfants.
Restera le souvenir et la frustation d'un rendez-vous raté.
Famille BOURGEON Messac
I had a dream of ever seeing Norman and Toddy glimpsed by a beautiful sunny day in 1953, in front of the house of my parents at Messac in Brittany.
But California is so far from Brittany !
However, I will keep me these images and pictures, that voice over audio tapes tells the story of a young American of 20 years and his absolute determination to escape the Nazi occupier.
This long fugue with its commitment and selflessness support of the population and courageous Resistants, some have paid with their lives, lasted four month and ended with a very hard through snow and icy waters on the Pyrénes in January 1944.
My thoughts, our thoughts, our affections go to Toddy, Their children and grandchildren.
Will the memory and frustration of a missed appointment.
Family BOURGEON Messac
November 4, 2012
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