THE WALL OF FACES

Kenny and I were in the same class and the same company at USNA. He was a boxer, and also was the company commander at one time, well-deserved as he was a good leader. He was a quiet, self-effacing guy with a good sense of humor. In the play, Cyrano de Bergerac, the dying Cyrano laments because he didn't die "with steel in my heart, and laughter on my lips." I suspect Kenny was probably not sad to go that way, though he left many grieving friends.

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace LTJG. Norton, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Calm winds and following seas.
Thank you Sir! From a Coast Guard vet.

Dear LTJG Kenneth Norton, Thank you for your service as an Unrestricted Line Officer - Surface Warfare. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On the afternoon of October 7, 1969, U.S. Navy Patrol Craft Fast boats (PCF’s), also known as Swift Boats, where on normal Sea Tiger patrol on the Truong Giang River, about 17 miles southeast of Da Nang in Quang Tin Province, RVN. PCFs 61 and 69 were destroying fishing wiers (obstructions placed in tidal waters to trap fish) when they received heavy automatic weapons fire. The Swift boats withdrew to the northeast and saturated the area with 81mm mortars and then made a .50 caliber strafing run on the enemy positions. After rearming, both units proceeded north to exit the Truong Giang River, when they received heavy automatic weapons, semi-automatic, and 57mm recoilless rifle fire from bunker positions. In the general hail of fire, the helmsman, Officer-in-Charge of PCF 61, LTJG Kenneth D. Norton, was killed and PCF 61 ran hard aground while traveling at full speed. At the same time, both Swift boats received 57mm recoilless rocket rounds close aboard, resulting in minor damage to PCF 69 and punctured the port fuel tank of PCF 61, causing minor flooding. Both units suppressed the enemy fire. PCF 101, helicopter gunships, and a medivac helicopter arrived on the scene at 1:31 PM. The helo gunships saturated the area with rocket and mini gun fire while LTJG Norton was medevacked. PCFs 69 and 101 pulled PCF 61 free at 4:00 PM and proceeded, without further incident, to Coastal Group 14 headquarters, with the helo gunships providing cover. There were 20 structures destroyed in the operation. One other U.S. sailor received minor wounds, and was treated and returned to duty. Enemy casualties are unknown. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and swiftboats.net]