Norman Carl Gaddis

Norman C. Gaddis, a career Air Force officer, died peacefully on Feb 13, 2024 with his family by his side.

Norman C Gaddis was born in Jefferson Co., TN, on September 30, 1923. He entered the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1944. He flew the P-40 Warhawk and the P-51 Mustang in a non-combat capacity during WWII. He was honorably discharged from service in 1945, the same year he married his high school sweetheart, Hazel Lee Ketner. Norman and Hazel welcomed Steve on March 4, 1946 in Knoxville, TN.

Norman was recalled to active duty in 1949 as a Lieutenant and served three years with the 86th Fighter Wing in Neubiberg, Germany, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt and the F-84 Thunderjet. In 1952, he was transferred to the 31st Fighter Wing at Turner AFB, GA, flying F-84 Thunderjets. It was during that time that he flew in “Fox Peter One”, the first ever single jet engine fighter crossing of the Pacific Ocean. In May 1954, he was assigned to the 81st Fighter Wing in Bentwaters, England, and subsequently reassigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe Headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, in November 1955. Tony was born on June 15, 1956 in Wiesbaden.

In 1957, Capt Gaddis was assigned to the 450th Fighter Wing at Foster AFB, TX. A year later, he became a flight instructor in the F-100 Super Sabre at the USAF Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, NV. Maj Gaddis attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB in 1960 and in 1961 became a staff officer in the Tactical Division, Headquarters USAF. In 1965 as Lt Col, he attended the National War College, followed by F-4 Phantom combat crew training in 1966.

Col Gaddis was assigned to the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base in Vietnam in November 1966. During his 73rd combat mission on May 12, 1967, he was forced to bail out of his aircraft near Hanoi, was captured, and was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for 2,124 days. He was released on March 4, 1973.

After a 90-day convalescence, Col Gaddis resumed service with the 82nd Flying Training Wing at Williams AFB, AZ, becoming its Commander in 1974. Later that year, Brig Gen Gaddis was assigned Deputy Director for Operational Forces, Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C. He retired from active duty on June 1, 1976 after serving 30 years and 3 months. As a Command Pilot, he flew over 4,300 hours in 13 different airplanes.

His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and “V” device, the Air Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon (for the Pacific crossing in 1952).

For his extraordinary and enduring accomplishments in aviation for Tennessee and our nation, and for his service to our country, Brig Gen Norman C. Gaddis, USAF (Ret.) was honored by and inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame on November 12, 2011. On June 4, 2022, he was inducted as a member of the inaugural class of the North Carolina Military Hall of Firsts.

Brig Gen Norman C. Gaddis, USAF (Ret.) received the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine on September 30, 2023. On the occasion of his hundredth birthday, he was honored by letters of congratulations from President Joe Biden, Senator Tom Tillis, Senator Ted Budd, and Representative Deborah Ross. He also received a flag flown over the national Capital in his honor.

Brig Gen Norman C. Gaddis, USAF (Ret.) was known by many names including Snap, The General, Dad, and Granddad. He loved Cajun filet biscuits, BBQ sandwiches, sweet tea, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, his 5 o’clock beer, and wine with dinner. He had a difficult lifetime relationship with Brussels sprouts. He enjoyed spending time at the farm, cheering for Duke basketball, spoiling the family Saint Bernard, Abbey, and being surrounded by his family and friends.

Norman is survived by his son Tony (wife Neela) of Raleigh; his daughter-in-law Beth Mulvaney of Durham; his grandchildren Leslie, Nathan, Matthew (wife Tam), Andrew, Nalin, Drew and Payal; his great-grandchildren, Maggie, Sacha, Duncan, and twins Hazel and Rowe; and the beloved Saint Bernard, Abbey. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces from Knoxville, Hixon, and Oak Ridge, TN. He was grateful for the dedication and love of his former daughters-in-law Dale Watson Gaddis and Deborah Chappelle Newton, and former granddaughter-in-law, Jenny Cox.

The love of his life and wife of 62 years, Hazel Lee Ketner, passed away on October 14, 2007. She was a patriot and a proud American wife and mother. His eldest son, Steven Earl Gaddis, passed away on December 12, 2018.

He was preceded in death by his father Bruce and his mother Allie. His older brother, Ralph Earl Gaddis, was killed on June 12, 1944 at St. Mere Eglise, France. His younger sister Opal Suddarth of Knoxville, TN passed away on October 5, 2018.

The family will receive visitors at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home (Durham) on February 23, from 6 to 8 PM. A celebration of life will take place at Westminster Presbyterian Church (Durham) on April 6 at 11 AM, followed by a reception. The celebration is open to the public. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.