Norman John Harrison, Sr.

Conflicts & Campaigns

• North; Africa; Sicily

Significant Duty Stations

• Mess Sergeant with a B-26 Marauder Group

Notes

SSN 267-24-0330. When the US entered World War I, Norman volunteered and was disappointed that he did not serve overseas. At the outbreak of World War II, Norman again answered the call. Assigned to aircraft gunnery school, Keesler Field, Mississippi, Norman washed out due to his excessive weight. Reassigned as mess sergeant in a B-26 Marauder Group which soon moved to England, later to North Africa and on to Sicily. While in Sicily the Army issued a directive that all pass the age of 40 be returned to the US and discharged. Upon being honorably discharged, Norman joined the Merchant Marine and was issued papers as a chief steward. In this capacity he served in the South Pacific aboard two ships that were sunk by enemy action. Norman returned to the US and signed on with a ship going to the European Theater of Operations. During this trip, he was hit by enemy shrapnel and received severe leg and chest wounds. The latter caused the loss of one lung. Between the two wars, Norman was involved in several business ventures in Cairo. The first was a taxi service and car rental. Later he opened a cafe on the south side of the train station. Next was the Parks Cafe on Broad Street across from the fire station. His third cafe was on Bryan Street (1st Ave NE), just to the rear of Raymond Rushin's store. At this location, he became known as the Hamburger King and the Bar-B-Que King.