Thomas Elmo Norwood

Sergeant Thomas Elmo Norwood was killed in action in World War II on July 22, 1944 in the hedgerow fighting in Normandy following the June D-Day Invasion.    He was 24 years old.

Thomas Elmo Norwood was born on January 18, 1920, the son of Joseph Elmo Norwood and Elizabeth Stainback Norwood. He graduated from Townsville High School in 1939. 

Sgt Norwood enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 17, 1942 and was deployed to the European Theater of War in April, 1944 serving in the 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Division.

The 83rd Division landed at Omaha Beach on June 18, 1944 and took part in the brutal hedgerow fighting south of Carentan beginning on June 27.  Throughout July the Division battled through the difficult terrain advancing against enemy emplacements and roadblocks and repulsing German counter-attacks, slowly gaining ground at the cost of heavy casualties.  Sgt. Norwood was killed in action on July 22, 1944,  three days before the Division reached its immediate objective -- the St. Lo-Periers Road – on July 25, 1944.  

Sergeant Thomas Elmo Norwood was buried in Istand Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Willamsboro, N.C.                                   

Last edited: 28 April 2026