Major Norman George Stromer (1922-2019) was an Army Air Corps pilot who participated in bombing campaigns in the South West Pacific during World War II, served as part of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), and worked as a fight inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Stromer was born in Bassett, Nebraska on April 2, 1922 to Harry and Clara (née Willms) Stromer. He attended Bridgeport High School in Douglas County, Washington graduating in 1940. On October 30, 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Fort Lewis, Washington. He completed his first solo flight on February 2, 1942 at Hancock College of Aeronautics in Santa Maria, California. On March 28, 1942, he completed Civil Elementary Flying School (Army), also at Hancock College of Aeronautics. Stromer went on to Luke Air Force Base (Arizona) where he completed aviation training with Class 42-H through the Air Corps Advanced Flying School. He was promoted to Staff Sargent Pilot (Fourth Tow Target Squadron) on August 27, 1942. On January 1, 1943, he was promoted from Staff Sergeant of the 4th Tow Target Squadron to the rank of Flight Officer of the Third Air Force.

While on active duty, Stromer flew 52 combat missions in the South West Pacific as part of the 400th Bombardment Squadron, 90th Bomb Group. He was cited for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial bombing missions in the Southwest Pacific between March 13, 1944 and May 13, 1944. He completed 425 hours of flight throughout the Pacific Theater during World War II. On March 25, 1944, he was commissioned to U.S. Army Air Forces.

From October to November 1952, he attended Air Force Service School at Palm Beach Air Force Base in Florida. There, he participated in flight training for the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. He was promoted to Captain on January 26, 1954. From December 1956 to July 1957, Stromer participated in an aircraft maintenance officer course at the Air Force Service School at Chanute Air Force Base (Illinois). He was later assigned to the 20th Air Transport Squadron, Military Air Transport Service (MATS), at Dover Air Force Base (Delaware), an assignment he held for the remainder of his military career.

On October 31, 1960, Stromer was honorably discharged from the military with the rank of Major. Throughout his military career, he received a number of medals and awards. These included the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Occupation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the American Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Berlin Airlift Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

In 1960, Stromer began a twenty-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration. He worked as a test pilot and specialized in Boeing 737s and 747s. From January 11 to February 2, 1965, Stromer attended the National Aircraft Accident Investigation School in Oklahoma City (Oklahoma). On February 4, 1971 he became an FAA certified Airline Transport Pilot. On February 12, he completed the American Airlines B-747 Pilot and Flight Engineer Ratings training program in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1980, Stromer retired from the FAA.

On October 20, 1951, Stromer married Camille Robb in Pocahontas, Arkansas. The two later had a son, named Tom. In 2005, he provided Bellevue College with a scholarship endowment. He passed away on June 4, 2019, at the age of 97.

Biography derived from collection materials.

1922 April 02

Born in Bassett, Nebraska

1940

Graduated from Bridgeport High School (Douglas County, Washington)

1940 October 30

Enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Fort Lewis (Washington)

1942 February 12

Completed first solo flight at Hancock College of Aeronautics (Santa Maria, California)

1942 March 28

Completed Civil Elementary Flying School at Hancock College of Aeronautics

1942 August 27

Completed Aviation Training at Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Luke Air Force Base (Maricopa County, Arizona)

1943 January 31

Promoted from Staff Sergeant of the 4th Tow Target Squadron to Flight Officer of the Third Air Force

1944 March 13-1944 May 13

Participated in aerial bombing missions in the Southwest Pacific

1944 March 25

Commissioned to U.S. Army Air Forces

1951 October 20

Married Camille Robb (Pocahontas, Arkansas)

1952 October-November

Attended Air Force Service School at Palm Beach Air Force Base (Florida)

1954 January 26

Promoted to Captain

1956 December-1957 July

Attended Air Force Service School at Chanute Air Force Base (Champaign County, Illinois)

1960 October 31

Honorably discharged with the rank of Major

1960

Joined the Federal Aviation Administration

1965 January 11-February 19

Attended the National Aircraft Accident Investigation School (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

1971 February 04

Issued FAA Airline Transport Pilot certification for multiengine landings

1971 February 12

Completed American Airlines B-747 Pilot and Flight Engineer Ratings training program (Fort Worth, Texas)

Issued FAA Flight Engineer certification for turbo powered and reciprocating engine powered aircraft

1980

Retired from the Federal Aviation Administration

2004 November 07

Camille died

2005

Established a scholarship endowment at Bellevue College (Bellevue, Washington)

2019 June 04

Died (Bellevue, Washington)