2nd Lt Norvell Stoudmire
January 1, 1921- March 31, 1944
Class: 43-H-SE
Graduation Date: August 30, 1943
Graduation Rank: Second Lieutenant
Unit: 332nd Fighter Group, 100th Fighter Squadron
Service # O-811289
Norvell was born in 1921 to Walter Stoudmirer and Martha Moore. He was one of seven children born to this couple. His father worked as a porter for an Automobile Company. Norvell attended Sumner High School in St. Louis, graduating in June of 1938. He lived at home while attending Stowe Teachers College, graduating in 1941. He enlisted from Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis in 1942 and received his commission at the Tuskegee Institute in August of 1943. He departed for Italy in December of that same year.[4] and was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, 322nd Fighter Group.
On March 31, 1944, Norvell was flying his Bell P-39Q out of Capodichino, Italy on a harbor mission near Naples, Italy. His plane suddenly caught on fire. Norvell attempted to bail out, but his parachute caught on the plane, preventing him from escape – the plane, pilot & plane went into Naples Harbor.
Stoudmire is buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy. According to military documents, Stoudmire was awarded a Purple Heart for his military service.
Sources:
HonorStates.org
Saint Louis Post Dispatch
WikiTree.com
