 Fred Norton was an outstanding Ohio State University student athlete who had gone on to become a member of the 27th "Eagle" Pursuit Squadron in France. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Norton Field was named for this heroic pilot who was also the first Ohio State graduate to be killed in World War I. This photograph shows Fred Norton in his football uniform, ca. 1913-1917. |
Lieutenant Fred Norton was from Danbury Township in Ottawa County, Ohio. He became an outstanding Ohio State University student athlete. Like fellow Columbus resident Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker, Norton served as a pilot during World War I. He was a member of the 27th Aero Squadron. Unfortunately, Norton was not as successful as Rickenbacker was in the air. On July 20, 1918, Norton was hit by German fire while attacking troops from the air during the Chateau-Thierry campaign in France. He managed to land his airplane safely behind friendly lines, but it took two days for his fellow soldiers to transport him from the front lines to the hospital. In the meantime, the pilot contracted pneumonia and died on July 23, 1918. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Norton Field was named for this heroic pilot who was also the first Ohio State graduate to be killed in World War I. [[Category:]] [[Category:]] [[Category:]][[Category:]][[Category:]][[Category:]][[Category:]][[Category:]][[Category:]][[Category:]]