Retired SMSgt. Norman R. “Jack” Matthews died March 8 at age 92, reports the Suffolk News-Herald. Matthews was an aerial gunner sent to the Philippines with other airmen in late 1941 to await their airplanes during World War II. They joined with land forces to fight the Japanese when they invaded the island. Matthews survived the infamous Bataan Death March and served 27 years in the Air Force. (Read more on the death march in Air Force Magazine’s 1995 Valor article)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.