Durnin, Norman, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate.
************************************************
Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************

From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews
With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1995.  Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and
reprinted with permission.

     Norman Durnin was born and grew up on a farm in the Hills-

dale Community.  Following graduation from Woodland High School

in 1941, he worked for Southern Railroad in New Orleans.

     Norman was drafted into the Army in July 1944.  Basic train-

nig was at Camp Robinson, Arkansas.  After approximately three

months training, he was sent overseas.  They traveled by troop

ship to England, then crossed the English Channel to France.  He

served in Belgium and Germany and was in the Battle of the Bulge

in the Ardennes Forest.  Here the troops had to battle the

Germans and the bitter cold.  Norman vividly recalls the ice and

snow.  He said they were cut off by the Germans in the Ardennes

Forest and their Commander, Major General Morris Rose was killed

in that battle in March 1945.

     He was assigned to a light tank where he served as a gunner.

Five men made up the crew in these smaller tanks.  Norman said

the light tank took the point going into combat.  He remarked

that the Germans were a formidable enemy, but were expert tacti-

cians.  They were skilled planners.

     Norman served in Company C, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd

Armored Division which was called the Spearhead Division.  He

was awarded a medal for participating in the Battle of the Bulge.

     He remained to serve as occupational troops in Germany

until July 1946.  Completing his tour of duty, he returned to

the United States by ship to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where

he was discharged in July 1946.  He said he saw no one he knw

from home the whole time he was gone.

     Returning home, he worked at various jobs.  He is now

retired after working 34 years with United Gas Pipeline at

Montpelier.

     Norman and Miss Marguerite Stevens were married in November

1950.  They have one son and two granddaughters.  They live on

a well-kept farm north of Hillsdale where they raise registered

Beefmaster beef cattle.  Their property extends to Tickfaw River

where they enjoy fishing and camping.  A beautiful place.

* * * * *