Ewers, Norman Glen

Colonel, U.S.M.C. Ret.

Norman Glen Ewers passed away early Saturday morning, February 16, 2019 at the age of 95. He was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Sue Ewers who passed away in 2015. Norm was born October 23, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Roscoe Glenn and Ruth Ewers and grew up in Tujunga, California. After graduating from Verdugo Hills High School, he attended Occidental College in Los Angeles and played on their baseball team as a pitcher. When Pearl Harbor was attacked he joined the Navy and proceeded to be trained as a Naval pilot. In a short span of time Norm married his high school sweetheart, Susan Byrd, and got commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Norm flew many missions in WWII as a PBJ bomber pilot in the Pacific taking part in numerous damaging strikes against Japanese airfields and shore installations frequently encountering intense antiaircraft fire. The Navy awarded Norm with the Distinguished Flying Cross for "heroism and extraordinary achievement in the Bismarck Archipelago," and six additional Air Medals for "meritorious achievement against the enemy Japanese forces in other Pacific arenas."

Norm's career as a Marine Corps pilot continued for a total of 27 years of service to his country. This included the Korean and Vietnam Wars where he flew military helicopters and continued to display heroism and extraordinary achievement, being awarded a Silver Star for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" in saving a downed Navy pilot in Korea behind enemy lines, and a second Silver Star in VietNam for leading his squadron of helicopters into a highly intense fight not once but three times while maintaining the dangerous lead position. This mission was photographed for Life Magazine as the cover story. A second Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 Navy Commendation Medals were awarded for combat bravery in Korea. An extraordinary pilot and leader he was awarded 28 Air Medals in all while completing 393 combat missions for his Country over three wars.

After retiring from the service in 1969 Norm, who finished getting his BA while in the Marine Corps, went back to graduate school and received his MA in public administration. Norm worked for several years for the Orange County airport. He retired from his "second career" in the early 1980s but continued to be highly active in many different ways within the community. Norm passionately pursued his interest in writing, mostly as an advocate for those he considered unfairly treated or underrepresented and had multiple "letters to the Editor" published in both the Santa Ana Register and Los Angeles Times, (but only a small fraction of those written). A man of faith, Norm enthusiastically supported his church, St. Michael and All Angels, taking on several roles of leadership and guidance all the while building a large circle of church friends. And, finally, Norm excelled in the husband, father and grandfather role. His guidance and unconditional love were the foundation for the family. Norm exuberantly joined in whatever game, sport, or activity his wife, children or grandchildren wanted to do. This included golf, tennis, skiing, traveling anywhere, multiple card games (which would entail offering lessons on how to win at cards) and enjoying every meal he had.

Norm was principled and fair, passionate, funny, smart, loving, honest, moderate in all things and, obviously brave. He loved his family above all and always expressed how proud he was of all of them. Needless to say "the pater familias" as Norm called himself was adored by his family and will be sadly missed. They all feel fortunate and blessed to have had this man in their lives for as long as they did. Left to mourn this extraordinary man are his children: Cheryl Hunley (Dill), Dick Ewers (Sharon), Barbara Zorich (Bob); grandchildren: Kelly Overacker (Brad), Michael Hunley (Carrie), Gary Ewers, Corie Chandler (Justin), Bret Zorich (Lyndsey), Brynley Todd (Josh), Robby Zorich (Katie) and 13 great grandchildren: Peyton and Perris Hunley, Regan and Blake Chandler, Danica Ewers, Leighton, Charlotte and Jack Zorich, Reese and Drew Todd, Whit, Mae and Evie Zorich; a wide range of extended family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff at Regents Point who treated Norm with such dignity and love during his sojourn there.

A celebration of Norm's life will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 11th. Should friends and relatives desire, memorial contributions in memory of Norm can be made to St. Michael and All Angels at 3233 Pacific View Dr., Corona del Mar, CA 92625; Heifer International at heifer.org; or Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation at mcsf.org.

Published by Orange County Register from Mar. 1 to Mar. 3, 2019.

Norman Glen Ewers (1923)