Jimmy T. Norris was born in 1936 in Mississippi. He later moved to New Orleans, LA where he enlisted in the US Air Force in July 1953. After completing Basic Training at Lackland AFB, he had assignments in Japan as Payroll Clerk; in Chanute AFB, IL as Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of Separations Branch, and Germany where he served as NCOIC of the Personnel Branch.
In 1962 he was approved for attendance at the USAF Officer Candidate School in Class 63A starting in April 1962. Unfortunately, he fell victim to the grading curve and was unable to graduate with his class.
Jimmy’s first assignment after OCS was at Lackland as NCOIC, Officer Training School (OTS) Records Section. Subsequent assignments included a tour in Vietnam as NCOIC Classification and Testing, Randolph AFB, TX as NCOIC Flying Status Branch at HQ Air Training Command (ATC), McConnell AFB, KS as NCOIC Personnel Systems Management Branch and Hurlburt Field, FL, where he served as Personnel Sergeant Major. This was his last Air Force assignment. He retired as Chief Master Sergeant in November 1979 after completing over 26 years service.
In May 1982, Jimmy obtained a Civil Service position as GS-12, Computer Systems Security Manager. He held that position for almost 17 years retiring in April 1999.
During his 26 years of military service he completed several courses including NCO Leadership School, Tactical Air Command (TAC) NCO Academy, Senior NCO Academy, and numerous computer courses. He also earned two Bachelor degrees: BA in Business and BS in Computer Science.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, the Commendation Medal w/2OLC, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal as well as the Good Conduct Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/4 Battle Stars.
Jimmy married his wife, Irma, early in his career and she attended OCS with him. She bore him four children, two of which were with them during OCS. He and Irma are settled now in Mary Esther, Florida where fishing is his main activity.
