By Ashley Craig
Navy Office of Community Outreach

Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Norris of the Southside is one of the sailors serving aboard USS Nevada, continuing the U.S. Navy’s 124-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.

Norris graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 2011. Additionally, Norris earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering technology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2021.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found at Manual and his hometown.
“Growing up, I learned to keep building on yourself because it’s all you can do,” said Norris. “I worked in fabrication and manufacturing for the past decade. I worked my way up from being the little guy on the totem pole to the number three spot in the company. You have to learn how to deal with different characters and what you don’t like in people. The three big things are attitude, performance and attendance. If you have a good attitude and show up every day, you can work on your performance.”

Norris joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Norris serves as an electronics technician (submarine navigation).

“I joined the Navy because the Navy’s recruiting was better,” said Norris. “I wanted to work in weapons design, maybe for Raytheon or something like that. Being in the Navy would help me do that. The training I get in this job, the clearance and networking will help me reach that goal.”

Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security. A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap, Washington.

There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).

Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Norris is part of a rich 124-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.

The Pacific Submarine Force maximizes the Navy’s strengths of knowledge, stealth, agility, firepower and endurance.

Norris serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Norris has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’m most proud of staying ahead of my fellow junior enlisted,” said Norris. “I’m competitive in nature and I think if we’re all competitive we raise the bar on each other. You need that motivation to succeed.”

Norris can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving, to me, shows that you are different from most of the public,” said Norris. “You will sacrifice and defend even when you cannot agree with everything.”

Norris is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
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“I want to thank Jason Wiley, who was a father figure to me in high school,” added Norris. “He was there for me through high school. He taught me how to weld, how to drive a stick and how to be a man. He was just that guy. He helped me get my first job out of high school.”

World War II veteran and Southsider Bob Pedigo, left, and U.S. Army veteran Jim Pickering, a Vietnam veteran, met and talked recently about their service in the lobby at the MCL Cafeteria on the Southside.
​(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY)

By Al Stilley
Editor

World War II veteran and longtime Southsider Bob Pedigo returned early last month after being one of 63 retired American veterans who were honored during the 80th memorial ceremony of D-Day.

After his return to Indianapolis International Airport, Pedigo, 100, exclaimed that he had never been so exhausted or so honored as he was on the memorable visit back to Normandy for the June 6 ceremony.

As part of the 453rd Bombardment Group, Pedigo served as a front nose gunner on the first B-24 Liberator Bomber that flew over the beaches of Normandy and bombed the surprised German troops inland from Omaha Beach.

“We attacked a German troop concentration near St. Laurent,” Pedigo said of the D-Day bombardment. “We caught the Germans by surprise, and the targets were destroyed.”

On the flight across the English Channel, Pedigo also was stunned by the masses of military ships that made it look like you could walk across the channel using the ships as stepping stones.”

Pedigo’s B-24 Liberator Bomber was nicknamed the “Silent Yokum” after a then-popular cartoon character.
Their group commander of the four squadrons was famed actor and WWII hero Jimmy Stewart who befriended Pedigo for many years. They met at a squadron reunion several years later in California. Stewart’s bomber was known as “Nine Guys and a Jerk,” according to Pedigo.

“The day before D-Day, he (Stewart) took each squadron one by one into a nearby wheat field in the afternoon and was very brief,” Pedigo recalled. “He simply told us, ‘Fellas, we have a big mission in the morning, so I want you to get your rest early.’”

They were called to their bombers at 2:30 a.m. on June 6 for their over German encampments in France.

At the 80th D-Day observance, Pedigo was one of 11 U.S. veterans to receive the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest distinction, and presented by French President Emmanuel Macron with U.S. President Joe Biden in attendance. Macron pinned each Legion of Honor medal on each American honoree. The award was founded by Napoleon in 1802.

As honored as he was of the award, Pedigo expressed surprise and gratitude of the crowd that attended the 80th D-Day ceremony.

“We were recognized throughout the whole country,” Pedigo said of their visit to Paris, Normandy and the American Cemetery there. “We were bused from Paris to Normandy for the ceremony. When you turned and looked back on the crowd, you could see people as far as you could see.”

The D-Day ceremony featured youth choirs, remarks supporting freedom by Macron and Biden, tributes to the 8,000 American troops and 4,000 more troops from England, Canada, and Australia who perished in the attack.

Pedigo was still weary from his journey during an exclusive interview with The Southsider Voice.

His round-trip flight left Indianapolis May 30 to Dallas-Fort Worth where they gathered for dinner, a 1940s-era big band, and songs by the Victory Belles from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The next day they formed a parade to their American Airlines jetliner for their flight to Paris.

Pedigo explained that the American bombers softened up targets on D-Day. Pedigo later flew more than 30 extremely dangerous missions after D-Day over France and Berlin, Germany.

Pedigo recalled that the squadron’s most memorable flight came days after D-Day when their bombs destroyed 38 German jet fighters outside a factory and the entire factory that had 22 jet fighters inside.

“They had jets and we didn’t, so every flight was a challenge,” Pedigo recalled. “Their (jets) rate of closure was so fast, you had to look everywhere.”

After retiring from the U.S. Army, Pedigo worked at Naval Avionics and also help found the Warren Township Little League and Indianapolis Boys and Girls Clubs.

He celebrated his 100th birthday last year.
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Pedigo was the youngest of his crew on the “Silent Yokum” by 31 days; he is the only surviving member.
Even as the interview ended, Pedigo’s voice trailed off, “8,000 (American) lives lost and 4,000 more.”
We must never forget.

Historic photo shows the crew of the B-24J Liberator that flew over Normandy as part of the 453rd Bombardment Group that struck German encampments moments before U.S. and Allied forces landed on D-Day June 6, 1944.