Norton Bennett James Jr.

WORLD WAR II AND KOREAN WAR VETERAN

Norton Bennett James, Jr passed away peacefully on 28 December 2020 at the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home in Salt Lake City. He would have been 102 years old on 1 March 2021.

Norton was born in New York City (Bronx) on 1 March 1919 to Norton B James, Sr and Etta Geib James. He was the oldest of three children – a brother Rowland and a sister Carol (Scranton). They resided in Mt Vernon, NY. He attended AB Davis High School and graduated in 1937 with his friend, the actor, Art Carney. He then attended New York University for about 2 years before being drafted into the Army in 1941 when the draft was first instituted under President Roosevelt. He was promptly selected to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and reported to Ft Knox, Kentucky in late 1942 for training.

After commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 1942, he was assigned to the 738th Tank Battalion, Hq Company. The 738th developed and operated the M3/GRANT CDL (Canal Defence Light) Tank, a top secret machine designed for night use and disruption of enemy forces with an intense carbon-arc strobe light (British invention). Norton was the Supply Officer for the entire battalion. The unit conducted intensive and prolonged training in the Arizona-California Mojave Desert and was eventually deployed to the European Theater of Operations in 1944. The tanks’ use was very limited however, since most field commanders were not aware of their availability due to the high classification of the program. At the end of the war, Capt James received a reserve promotion to major.

During his deployment to the Mojave Desert, he met his life’s sweetheart and partner, Eula Lawrence, in Boulder, Nevada. Eula and her father were there working while construction of the Hoover Dam was under way. Norton and Eula were married at Ft Benning, GA in Aug 1943 and later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. After the war, Norton returned to Cedar City, Eula’s home. He entered the Utah National Guard there at the rank of captain (available opening) and served in the 213th Field Artillery Battalion. Eula and Norton had their only child, Norton III (Ben) in May 1949. In Aug 1950, less than two months after South Korea was invaded by the North, the 213th was activated into federal service to support the Allied forces in Korea. By early 1951, the battalion was deployed to Korea and remained there throughout 1951. Capt James led the 213th Service Battery, responsible for maintenance and supply services for the battalion.

After returning home to Cedar City, Norton continued to serve in the Guard. In 1954, he received an assignment to Wiesbaden AB, Germany, where he served as an Army liaison officer. This was a one year assignment with Eula and Ben, so he and his family returned to Cedar City in 1955 where he was the assistant station manager for Western Airlines. He also continued his education at what is now Southern Utah State University. In late 1956, Norton was selected by the Civil Aeronautics Agency (CAA) to be an Air Traffic Controller and he did not continue with the Guard, mostly due to conflicting shift work as a Controller. In 1957, after extensive training in Oklahoma City, the James family moved to Salt Lake City, where Norton worked at the CAA’s (now FAA) regional Air Route Traffic Control Center until his retirement from the government at the end of 1982. Norton was cited for numerous aircraft “assists and saves” during his 25 year air traffic career.

Norton always took great pride in his home and cars and was constantly working to keep everything in top working order and ready for their senior years. Norton and Eula were fortunate to be able to travel to many interesting and wonderful places – most of the US, Canada, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Mexico, and Europe. They also made an annual sojourn to Hawaii.

Norton lived in West Valley City since 1960, and was there with his wonderful wife of 72 years until she passed away in December 2015. His son, Ben (colonel USAF – ret) and daughter-in-law, Jody, moved back to Salt Lake in 2012 to take care of their aging parents and spent many hours with them each day, looking out for their needs. In September 2019, he moved to the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home, where he received amazing attention and care until his passing on 28 Dec 2020. Ben and Jody continued to visit Norton each day until the cruel pandemic precluded contact. Thankfully, they were able to spend much of his last three days with him due to the care and consideration of the nursing home administration and staff.

Norton was a wonderful father and husband – supportive in every way imaginable. He loved classical music and was Ben and Eula’s biggest fan of their violin and piano performances. He was always there giving support to Ben as he received his education – all the way through graduate school, and was a great mentor when Ben entered the military (Air Force) in his footsteps.

Norton was active in the Hunter 2nd Ward of the LDS church until he and Eula reached their senior years. He held several positions, from Boy Scout leadership, Ward Teacher, to Sunday School teacher.

In 2019, Norton was honored with becoming a Utah Veteran Centenarian and was presented a nice medallion and certificate by Governor Gary Herbert.

Major James received the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, 4 O/S Bars, Korean Service Medal, Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal.

Norton had a deep love of country and was very patriotic. When air traffic controllers decided to strike during President Reagan’s watch, Norton refused to do so as it was an illegal act for someone working in the federal government to strike against the government. His advice was to worry less about your rights and take care of your responsibilities.

Norton is survived by son, Norton B James III, daughter-in-law Jolene A James; three grandchildren and their spouses – Kristen C James (Mike Dunn), Sandra A James-Sherman (Rasta Sherman), and Scott B James (Kristin Guthrie); his sister, Carol (Scranton), his sister-in-law, Barbara James, and his brother-in-law (Eula’s brother), Alma Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rowland James.

Due to health concerns, a small service with military honors will be held for Norton at Valley View Funeral Home on Thursday, 7 Jan 2021 at 2pm with burial immediately thereafter alongside Eula at Valley View Memorial Park.