Oral History Interview with Norman Palmer, April 3, 2003 Page: Title Page

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Palmer. Palmer was born in 1922 in Tiosa, Indiana. He enlisted in the Army in January, 1942 and took basic training at Fort Robinson, Arkansas where he was assigned to the Medical Corps. From there, he went to Fort Benning, Georgia and worked ina field hospital until he took and passed the Army Air Forces cadet training tests. He reported to preflight training in San Antonio in December, 1942. Palmer earned his wings and was commissioned in August 1943 just prior to reporting for duty with the 309th Bomb Wing in South Carolina. Palmer was assigned to a B-25 crew as copilot and flew a new bomber to North Africa in December, where they were attached to the 310th Bomb Group stationed on Corsica. Palmer describes bombing missions over Italy and southern France. Palmer flew 40 missions in a B-25 as a copilot and 30 as a pilot. After 70 missions, Palmer was sent home in September, 1944. Palmer was assigned as a flight instructor at Altus, Oklahoma after he returned. When the war ended, Palmer was assigned to the Transport Command where he ferried planes. Later in his career, Palmer flew B-47s. He had an accident in one and was injured enough to be permanently grounded. he retired from the Air Force in 1962.