Connie M. Norwood

Connie (Migliore) Norwood was born in Pittston, PA and grew up in Tampa, FL—graduating from King High School in 1966.  She joined the US Army that year.  She later attended Los Angeles City College and Troy State University.

Her Army career included service as a member of the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) and later as a Regular Soldier when the WAC was integrated into the US Army.

In her military aviation career, she served as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief.  As a result of her skilled performance, she was selected as the first female member of the Army Helicopter Demonstration Team “The Silver Eagles”.  In fact, she was the first female member of any US military aviation demonstration team.  She served as Crew Chief for the Siver Eagle’s Lead solo helicopter.  In this role, she participated in countless air shows across America meeting many aviation legends in the process.

Follow on assignment was to the Republic of Korea, where she served as crew chief on Med/Evac “Dust Off” helicopters.

This assignment was followed by selection to Pilot Training at Fort Rucker, AL.  Upon graduation she again returned to Korea serving in the elite 55^th Aviation Company where she was responsible for flying general officers of the US Forces in Korea, as well as ambassadors and other senior US officials.

Her next assignment was to another elite unit at Davidson Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, VA.  Again, her role was to fly senior military officers and civilian officials—this time into and out of Washington, DC.  While flying a night time Med/Evac mission, she successfully recovered and safely landed a significantly damaged UH-1 “Huey” helicopter.  For the skill she displayed that night, she was recognized with the prestigious Army Aviation Award known as the “Broken Wing Award.  She was the first female Army Aviator to be so recognized.

After her Davidson tour, she continued to fly as an Army reservist at Fort Meade, MD.  She then transitioned to the Inactive Army Reserves and eventually retired as a Chief Warrant Officer Three, US Army, Reserves.

Her service to others did not stop when she retired from the Army.  As a military spouse, she accompanied her husband to assignments in the US, Germany, Japan, and again to Korea.

Her extensive volunteer work with military communities included serving as advisor to officer and enlisted spouse’s clubs, Special Olympics, and the Red Cross.  She was also an active participant in German-American, Japanese-American, and Korean-American friendship organizations, as well as the United Nations Spouses Club.

Connie Lives with her husband Nordie on the Alafia River in Riverview, FL (near Tampa).

Whether as a Soldier or as a supportive spouse, Connie embodied the spirit of the caring and giving “servant leader”.  She is honored to be recognized with her plaque here at Mount Soledad.