NORMAN WILLIAM BONE, T-SGT, US Army
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA (April 23, 2011)
NORMAN WILLIAM BONE, T-SGT, US Army
World War II Veteran
1919 – 2011
Around 4:15AM on Saturday April 23, 2011 the family released the sad news that another of our World War II veteran died at his home. Norman William Bone, T-SGT US Army passed away quietly at the Loving Arms Assisted Living Facility in Front Royal, with him was his devoted wife, friend and soul mate holding him.
Born June 11, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Mr. & Mrs. William Bone of Evansville, Wisconsin entered the US Army in Milwaukee, WI on March 22, 1942 after basic training he served in many areas in the Continental US and overseas areas to name a few, Sicily, Naples Foggia, Rome Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe from the period of 22 Jun 43 till 18 Sep 45.
His service to our Country T-SGT Bone was awarded the Bronze Star while assigned to the 45th Infantry Division, Assembly Area Command, France. T-SGT Bone was awarded the bronze star for his heroic achievement in action on September 22, 1944 near Archettes, France, when the Company Commander of Co I, 179th Infantry asked for volunteers to swim the Moselle River in order to secure a towline, he immediately responded and the currents were swift which made swimming almost impossible. Shortly thereafter the assault boat that carried the troops in the river overturned, his platoon leader was lost in the river and he was appointed and assumed the platoon leaders duties, whereas T-SGT Bone and his men made a successful crossing in the assault boats and his actions established the initial bridgehead across the river. The 45th Division has seen 511 days of actual combat starting with the invasion of Sicily and ending with the capture of the city of Munich, Germany.
His other awards for his service are as follows: European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon w/1 Silver & 1 Bronze Battle Star, Bronze Service Arrowhead, 4 Overseas Service Bars, 1 Service Stripe, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart Medal from GO#210, HQ 45th Division. He was wounded in action on 10 Sep 44 in France.
The Northern Virginia Daily Newspaper did a story on Norman Bone in March 27, 2010 where Norman talks all about his travels in the military service and the skirmish’s as his travels throughout and in the European Theater. In the article Norman articles with this thought “There really isn’t one day that you don’t think of your service, yet I don’t dwell on it”, said Bone, he continues by adding “I don’t live my life on that one thing, I am proud on what I done, yes, I mean that we went because we had to go”.
Mrs. Bone when asked her thoughts said very simply that she was extremely proud of Norman and what he did with his military service. The one thing that stands out the most to me was in the Daytona VA Clinic where Norman was talking with the Physical Therapist telling him about his career in the military, the therapist stated “You know if it wasn’t for men like Norman, today we would be speaking German”, she stated that went right to my heart.
Mr. Bone will be transported to Evansville, Wisconsin for burial on his family plot. Beside his wife Alma, he is survived by his son, who lives in Virginia but was out of town when his father passed away.
