Norman L. McCormack

McCormack, Norman L.
(ret. ENCM)
Appleton

Norman L. McCormack, age 84, of Appleton, passed away Monday, May 16, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was born February 9, 1921, in Concord, Massachusetts, the son of Frank and Olga (Laursen) McCormack. Norman was united in marriage to Gertrude Zellmer on April 27, 1946, in Oakland, California.
Norman served in the United States Navy for 30 years, from 1942 until 1972, and retired as an E9, Master Chief Engineman, in September, 1972. He began his career in Boston, Massachusetts in January of 1942. He served during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. On board the USS LST 126, on May 21, 1944, Hawaii’s “Second Greatest” disaster took place at West Lock, Naval Ammunition Depot. Six LST’s, 163 men were lost and 396 wounded, when a series of explosions occurred. He participated in the Bikini bomb testing at Kwajalein and the atomic testing at Christmas Island, South Pacific. The USS LST 126 was in four major combat amphibious invasions; Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Island group; Saipan Island in the Maraines group; Leyte Island in the Philippine Islands; and Linganyan Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Island. He served five years on the USS Dukes County LST 735 during the Korean War from 1950-1955. The LST 735 was a converted LST that served as a support ship to service minesweepers in the forward areas. During Vietnam, he served on the staff of Commanders Mine Squadron 7, Maintenance, and Commander Mine Force US Pacific Fleet staff.
Following his Naval career, Norman was employed as an engineer with White Motor Corporation in California, New Jersey, and Michigan, and later was employed with US Oil Corp., of Combined Locks. He was a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a 50-year member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, was a member of the National and Wisconsin LST Associations, and was a member of the Naval Minewarfare Association.
He served the Navy throughout his 30 year career with “Honor and Distinction”.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Gertrude McCormack, of Appleton; two sisters, Carolyn Sullivan, of Gilbert, Ariz., and Jean King, of Falmouth, Mass.; a sister-in-law, Marion Zellmer, of Larsen, Wis.; and he is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, George.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2005, at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 West Marquette St., Appleton, with Fr. Don Zuleger officiating. Interment will be in St. Peter Cemetery, Larsen, with full military honors to be presented. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. Friday until the time of services directly at the church.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com