George Clyde Norris

George Clyde Norris was born and raised in Cantril. He graduated from Drake University in the class of 1964 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in the spring of 1966. Norris completed his trainings and graduated from Officers Candidate School. He was commissioned as an officer at Quantico, VA. 1LT Morris arrived in South Vietnam in May 1967 and served as an infantry officer in the 3rd Marine Division. In April 1968 his unit was deployed on Operation Napoleon in the northern Quang Tri Province. On April 30 elements of his company were ordered across the Song Bo Dieu River to engage the enemy. During the crossing the north river bank exploded with enemy automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire. The Marines managed to reach the shore and the men engaged the enemy in a battle that would last for several days. Six men were killed in the action, including 1LT Norris. He was 26 years old and married at the time of his death. His body was returned to Iowa and buried at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril.