Norman Hilmear Smuland
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
SMULAND, Norman Hilmear
Norman Hilmear Smuland was born on July 28th 1915 to & Nellie Smuland on Isle Royale, Michigan. He grew up in Duluth, Minnesota.
Mr. Smuland entered the U.S. Navy Militia in 1937, He then entered active Naval Reserve in 1940. He was brought up to active service on April 24th 1942 during WWII.
He served aboard the USS Paducah, USS Matar (AK 118), and the USS Luna (AKS 7) during WWII. He rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO).
The Luna was the supply ship to the fleet, and made all ports and stations in the Pacific. After cessation of hostilities, Norman was reassigned to the troop transport USS Gen. LeRoy Eltinge (AP 118), used to bring troops to Korea. Before decommissioning, it transported German naval crews from Scharnhorst, prior to A-bomb tests at Bikini atoll.
CPO Smuland was honorably discharged from service on June 8th 1946. After the war he returned home and married Mildred and they started a family. He stayed with the Naval Reserve until his discharge in 1974 with a total of 37 years of service.
Mr. Smuland died on November 27th 2009 at 94 years of age in Dallas, Texas. He is buried at Dallas-Ft Worth National Cemetery.
Source(s):
Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 301.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Norman Smuland (1915) in Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File - Fold3
