George Fredrick Norton

Retired Navy Master Chief George Norton of Loveland passed away on Monday, March 31 from complications from pneumonia just three months short of his 100th birthday. George was born on July 7, 1925 in Topeka, KS and spent his younger years in Smith Center, KS.

In 1943 after the U.S. entered WWII, George enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and served as a gunnery mate in the armed guard aboard a merchant ship transporting troops and supplies throughout the Pacific theater. During one Japanese aerial attack while anchored off the island of Okinawa, George, while wounded, single-handedly saved his ship by shooting down a kamikaze dive bomber, which had broken through the naval barrage, with a single shot, thus earning him the Purple Heart and the career-long nickname of "One Shot".

George went on to serve for 30 years attaining the rank of Master Chief, the Navy's highest enlisted rank. During his service, he also served with distinction in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. George was a lifetime member of both the American Legion and the VFW and a regular attendee at the PAMVET Saturday breakfast at the Loveland Golden Corral, where he was loved, honored, and respected by so many. He was also a faithful member of Timberline Church in Ft. Collins.

George also had a warm personal relationship with his son, granddaughter, and family of President Dwight Eisenhower and was honored by them this past June 6th in a ceremony in Abilene, KS at the Eisenhower home and library at the 80th anniversary celebration of D-Day.

George is preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ann. He is survived by his wife, Donna, his stepson, Kevin and wife Julee, along with five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The service and celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 15th at 10 am at Timberline Church on 2908 Timberline Rd, Ft. Collins and private interment will follow the service on the same day in Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver.