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Speech By Colonel Frank Kurtz
In presentation of the U.S.O. Distinguished American Award
Honoring Norman Lear
June 6, 1984

Norman Lear is wearing the Air Force uniform.  The stripes tell you he is a Technical Sergeant.  The government has cast this twenty-year-old as a combat radio-operator gunner.  The months of intensive rehearsals are over.

One of 60 bombers, at 0200 his heavy Flying Fortress climbs off that Florida runway for the last time on “Urgent Top Secret” orders.  Norman is part of a cast of 3,000 men.

Destination – the big theatre in angry skies – the big tent – the ETO – in military parlance – the European Theatre of Operations.

At night, Norman Lear flew into the East – the unknown – into history!

Over the bomber nose comes Trinidad at dawn.  Then Belem, Dakar, Casablanca and Foggia, Italy – Norman’s destination base – 8 hours by jeep from Rome – then in Nazi hands.  West Texas would be paradise by comparison.

Norman’s daily performances are now tested for keeps.  Remember – these aren’t the friendly skies of United.

A chilling review comes in from Berlin – Sally – Hitler’s radio talk show’s seductive host with an ominous welcome.  May I quote:  “Hello you swoose guys: I understand you flew your first mission over Germany yesterday.  The entire Luftwaffe, including Goering’s elite yellow-nosed squadron are out to get you and they will!”

Let’s go along with Norman on a mission in this high risk business where the government provides far too little life insurance.

Briefing Room – 0100.  Never has a Rose Bowl locker room packed this much tension.

By mid-morning – while you’re having coffee back here at home, Norman has long since donned his oxygen mask on the long climb-out over Yugoslavia.  He is headed for one of the targets in the big tent – which covers 13 countries, Ploesti’s oil fields, Weiner Neustadt-Regensberg and Schweinfurt’s ball bearing plant in Berlin – the five most heavily defended targets – Munich-Prague-Budapest and these are not just strange sounding names – they are hallowed names – emblazoned with the honor and glory of special American airmen.

We’ve penetrated enemy territory in total radio silence.  Those Luftwaffe pilots understand English.  You’d have thought they all graduated from Hollywood High…suddenly the plane’s nose lurches upward.  Norman’s pilot tries to keep on an even keel.  Now she makes another twist.  It’s ack-ack fire.  Those Germans are really throwing those big shells up at us from their batteries on the ground.  The sky ahead is solid black with flak.

At this desperate moment I looked over and saw my handsome co-pilot, Dwight Hanson, sitting on a very thick N.Y. telephone book.  Later I asked him why and he said: “To protect the family jewels.”

Without warning, the top turret calls out “Fighters 12 o’clock high.”  Every gunner alerts like a fox terrier.  The entire ship quivers as guns burst out firing – we’ve engaged the enemy – and he’s flying right down through our formation.

Our number 3 bomber takes a direct hit – he’s on fire.  The heat is so great in this thin air at 35,000 feet.  You can feel it on your own cheek.  He peels away now – parachutes start to billow out,

We start to lose bombers—

Just then the bombardier calls “Bombs away!” – at that split second, Norman and the rest of us quit working for the government and being to work for our family – our only objective now is to get home safely.

Norman tells the hospital on his radio to “stand by” – our formation has injured crewmen and a body aboard.

Four hours and three attacks later we start down.  We land.  Mary, our lone Red Cross girl from Houston, greets us with coffee and doughnuts.  Our flight surgeons pass out brandy…

Norman’s nightmare for the past ten hours hasn’t really gone away  -- but back at his tent, it’s better not to think about it  -- for now.  Besides, he has something to do.

You see, my Executive Officer, Captain Farrell, had told me about a young Sergeant who was writing scripts, directing and even performing in the shows himself.  His name – Sgt. Lear!!!

I discovered that was exactly what he was doing – giving the gift of laughter to his fellow airmen.  He was producing his weekly sitcom all without the help of studios, AFTRA and SAG.

But a combat airman landing back in England, after a mission, could be at the Kit Kat Club, with a girl on his arm – in London that same night – not so in Foggia!  Through civilian donations, we had record players, bicycles, cards – but remote Foggia needed more.

Yes.  Norman was giving in a desperate war-weary atmosphere – where the name of the game was “Will I get back from tomorrow’s mission?”.  Our 20-year-old Sergeant was entertaining 3,000 men a long way from home!  How unique – that a void in Foggia had provided the soil – where just perhaps a brilliant career was conceived!

During every war, someone comes along!
A man bringing laughter, fun, and blessed release!
A man who gives above and beyond!
Man of unusual courage – one of the unsung heroes!
Man of multi-talents!
A go-getter – but I like to think of this man as a go-giver!
Man of high honor and love of country!
May I quote from the song hit –
“You’re ever gentle on my mind!”
And that’s the way I feel about him.
Thank you – Norman – for coming our way!

Just in case your mind has gone back to that historic June 6th – in the long ago! May I report to you tonight—Norman and I worked that special date together –in the air over France – and proudly!!