A woman who was moved to help her country in World War II by doing something she loved — flying — ultimately cost the Columbus native her life.
Fortunately, her service and sacrifice have finally received the type of honor due her decades ago.
The Nov. 9 induction of Jeanne Lewellen Norbeck into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame, as part of a 21-person class that included famed World War II corespondent Ernie Pyle, was welcome and worthy.
Her love of flying developed in high school, and she earned her pilot’s license while a college student in the state of Washington.
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The Japanese attack of the military base at Pearl Harbor changed the lives of Norbeck and her husband, Edward. They lived near the base and witnessed the attack.
Both served as volunteer air raid wardens for 15 months before Edward entered the U.S. Army Intelligence Service and Jeanne applied in October 1943 to be part of the Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) program, which had been created two months earlier.
She completed the same training in the Army Air Corps as her male counterparts, except for combat.
Norbeck served as an engineering test pilot in Sumter, South Carolina, where she flew training aircraft that had been taken out of service to analyze problems and provide reports for the maintenance department.
The test flying she performed would have been done by military pilots had they not been overseas serving in action, or serving as instructors.
Norbeck died Oct. 16, 1944, while testing a BT-13 trainer. The plane unexpectedly rolled, spun and smashed upside down.
Although Norbeck was considered a civil service employee, she did everything asked of her as if she were a member of the military. Her colleagues felt the same way, helping pay for a funeral escort and U.S. flag for her casket — honors afforded actual military members.
Norbeck sacrificed all in an effort to help her country at a perilous time for the United States.
Thankfully, her service and that of other WASP members was recognized by 1977 federal legislation that made them veterans. And, thankfully, the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame’s board reviewed and reconsidered its qualifications for induction, and determined that Norbeck had distinguished herself in death.
Her contributions were honorable, important and in the best interests of the country. That makes her induction a worthy one.
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