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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lee R. Norton
Decatur
Funeral for Lee R. Norton, 86, of Decatur will be today, Nov. 25, 2007, at 3 p.m. at Ridout''s Brown-Service Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Wesson officiating. Burial will be in Burningtree Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Norton, who died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, was born July 24, 1921, in Cleburne County to James Norton and Lois Jones Norton. He was part of the Normandy Invasion, serving as a B.A.R. gunner in the 9th Infantry Division, until wounded. After recuperating he returned to his company as a Medical Corpsman. For his gallantry in action on 17 April, 1945, he was recommended to receive a Bronze Star. "During the action, the men of the platoon, pinned down in an open field, suffered heavy losses in dead and wounded. Working in an area swept with enemy fire, Corpsman Norton, nonetheless, moved about the field to minister to the wounded and dying. Not until the wounded in his care were evacuated did he withdraw. His devotion to duty in coming to the aid of the fallen men, with utter disregard for his personal safety, was well beyond the call of duty and reflected high honor upon himself and the Army of the United States." Richard F. Bond, 1st Lt. His awards included a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Survivors include his daughter, June Taylor and husband, Roger; and grandson, Seth Taylor. Pallbearers will be friends.