134th Infantry Regiment Website "All Hell Can't Stop Us"

Major Norman C Carey

320th Infantry Regiment - Company A

Norman C. Carey was inducted into the Army October 6, 1941, at Ft. Hayes in Columbus, Ohio.  He trained with the 89th Division at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he was commissioned, attending Cannon Company Officers School October 14 to December 7, 1942, and Advanced Officer Training September 5 to December 3, 1943.  He joined the 35^th Infantry Division, 320^th Infantry Regiment December 7, 1944, as commanding officer of Company A.  His awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with 3 battle stars (Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe), American Campaign Ribbon, and the French Croix de Guerre. He was relieved of active duty January 28, 1946, at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Pennsylvania.  After the war he served in the U.S. Army Reserve attaining the rank of major.

After being honorably discharged from the Army he graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1948 and spent 53 years practicing law in Springfield, Ohio.  He was president of the Clark County Bar Association and held leadership positions in numerous civic organizations including the Masons, Kiwanis Club, and Jaycees.  He co-founded several Civil War reenactment groups and was co-chairman of the Clark County Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial.  He served as president of the 35^th Infantry Division Association and in 2002 he was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

Major Norman C Carey passed away October 19, 2008 and is buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Springfield, Ohio. He was inducted into the 35th Division Hall of Fame (Class XIII) on October 9, 2021.

Silver Star Medal Citation

Captain Norman C. Carey, O1285008, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Reinheim , Germany on 18 and 19 December 1944.  The First Battalion, 320th Infantry, was ordered to attack the town of Reinheim on the night of 18 December, without prior reconnaissance of the ground, and Company A, commanded by Captain Carey, was given the mission of moving into the town by following a route along the Blies River on the right flank of the other two attacking companies.  About 300 yards from Reinheim, heavy enemy fire from emplacements in the outskirts of the town forced the attacking companies to defiladed positions.  Captain Carey held his unit in position, personally reconnoitered a route, and led his company through the enemy lines and into the town, skillfully avoiding enemy patrols known to be operating in the area.  Strong enemy resistance was encountered at the outskirts, and Captain Carey led his troops in fierce hand-to-hand fighting which forced an enemy withdrawal, then established positions in buildings from which the enemy had been driven.  He then sent guides to the other two companies of the battalion to lead them into the town by the same route.  On the following morning, Captain Carey led his troops in house-to-house street fighting until enemy resistance was overcome and the town captured.  His intrepid leadership, keen tactical knowledge, and disregard for personal safety are in accord with military traditions of the United States.  Entered military service from Ohio.

General Orders No. 9, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 29 January 1945

Silver Star Oak Leaf Cluster Citation

Captain Norman C. Carey, O1285008, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action near Oubourcy, Belgium on 15 January 1945.  On 14 January, Captain Carey commanded Company A, 320th Infantry, in a dawn attack of the town of Oubourcy.  After leading his unit in traversing precarious open ground, killing hostile sentinels and engaging the enemy in bitter street fighting, Captain Carey learned that the town was defended by an enemy battalion which outnumbered his depleted company three-to-one. Realizing the necessity for tank support, he crossed a thousand yards of exposed terrain to reach a radio, called for armor, and returned to his unit under a hail of enemy fire of all types to direct the first tank into position.  Displaying inspiring leadership and courage, he then led his men in a house-to-house assault on the town, repeatedly exposing himself to withering fire in order to point out targets for tanks and self-propelled guns. His brilliant direction of a tank-infantry team resulted in the death or capture of all the defending enemy troops, and is in keeping with the best military traditions.  Entered military service from Ohio.

General Orders No. 17, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 10 March 1945

Burgdorf, Germany May 5, 1945 - Window cracked by shrapnel	Presentation of Silver Star Medal by Col. Byrne, Straelen, Germany February 15, 1945 - View of Capt. Carey is blocked by the man standing to his right

Thanks to Jennifer Carey Bello, daughter of Norman C. Carey, for these pictures.

Video of the 35th Division Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony