Dates

• Existence: 1917 - 2011

Biography

Norman Bernhard Moerbe was a bombardier who flew in campaigns over Italy during World War II.

He was born in Port Arthur, Texas on April 25, 1917 to Martha and Ben Moerbe. His parents evidently separated at some point. He attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School and then Port Arthur High School, graduating in 1934. As a teenager he was a carrier for the Port Arthur News. As a civilian Moerbe worked for The Texas Company in Port Arthur as a research laboratory operator.

Moerbe entered military training in March of 1943 and then his active military service was from November 13, 1943 to September 29, 1945 after which point he served in the Air Force Reserves. Moerbe trained in Victorville Army Flying School in California in Squadron No. 4, Class No. 43-16. He was eliminated from pilot training. Instead, he served as a bombardier in the 12th Air Force, 340th Bombardment Group flying in the North American B-25 Mitchell. He was stationed in Corsica and northern Africa (most likely in Tunisia) and flew on campaigns over Italy. In 1945 he attended further training to be a bombardier instructor at Midland Army Airfield in Texas but then transferred to reserve status.

Moerbe married Margaret "Margie" Hall Moerbe (1923-2013) in early 1944. They did not have any children. He died in 2011.

Biography derived from collection materials.

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