By Krista Finstad Hanson

For the Times

The Stories Behind the Stars project, of which this article is a part, seeks to write the stories of the 421,000 WWII Fallen Heroes. Not all of the fallen died from combat injuries. Many of these heroes have the death status of DNB — died non-battle. Sadly, many of these fatalities occurred stateside during training.

A 2019 article by Robert Blanchard titled, “Sobering Stats: 15,000 U.S. Airmen Killed in Training in WW II” stated that “15,000 young men died in aircrew training in the U.S. is virtually unknown.” Blanchard explained that aviation was a new industry, the manufacturing of airplanes was new with new designs, and safety testing was sped up.

According to the article, “the B-24 bomber was nicknamed the ‘flying coffin’ due to its many problems.” Apparently, in 1939, “fewer than 1,000 pilots graduated basic flight training, and in 1943 that figure had grown to 165,000.” In 1944, there were more than 20,000 accidents, 5,000 wrecked aircraft, and 5,000 fatalities.

Lafayette county solider, Private Norman L. Moody served with Company E of the 2nd Paratroopers of the U.S. Army in World War II and died in a training accident.

Norman Leslie Moody was born on April 11, 1926 in Seymour Township in Lafayette County, Wisconsin to Leslie and Leonore (Ingersoll) Moody.

On the 1930 U.S. Census, the Moody family lived in Belmont Township in Lafayette County. The household included father Leslie, mother Leonore, and children Gerald, Joyce, Norman, Barbara, and John. Father Leslie was a laborer in a creamery. 

From the 1940 U.S. Census, the Moody family had lived in the same house since 1935 in Belmont. The household included all of the aforementioned children and the addition of son Richard. Father Leslie was an attendant in a pool hall.

On April 11, 1944, Norman Leslie Moody registered for the WWII Draft. His index card indicated that he was 18. His employer was Gordon Ingersoll in Belmont and he was also a high school student. He was 18. His next of kin was his mother living in Belmont. 

Note: It was likely that Moody was drafted into service, as this researcher could not find a record of his enlistment.

From the Dec. 21, 1944 The Platteville Journal and Grant County News, there was local and society news that “Norman Moody, who is in service, is at home on a furlough, and later will be transferred to a camp in Georgia.”

In the June 27, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal wedding announcement, Pvt. Norman Moody and Miss June Speth (sic: Roberts) were married on June 18, 1945 at the First Parachute Training Regiment chapel at Ft. Benning, Georgia. 

From the July 13, 1945 The Capital Times article titled “Pvt. Soehnlien Drowned During Paratroop Leap,” came the first notice that Pvt. Norman L, Moody was among six missing men and three drowned men from “paratrooper training maneuvers over tropical Dog Island, Fla.” He was a part of a “group of paratroopers from Ft. Benning, Ga., who landed in the water near the island during a simulated combat jump.” Pvt. Richard O. Soehnlein was from Madison. Another missing paratrooper was Pvt. Lloyd Sondgrass of Ephrata.

From the July 15, 1945 Tampa Bay Times article titled “Bodied of Six Army Paratroopers Recovered,” it was noted that “the army yesterday reported recovery of the bodies off the last six of 10 paratroopers who drowned in practice jumps from transport planes near Dog island in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday.” The article stated that “Paratroopers previously had made more than 1,000 jumps over the five-mile long island, located four miles off Carrabelle, Fla., as part of their preparatory training.” Norman L. Moody was one those recovered and it stated that he was from Rewey, Wisconsin.

From the July 16, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Paratrooper’s Body Taken to Belmont,” the noticed stated that “The body of Pfc. Norman Leslie Moody, 19, Ft. Benning, Ga., who was drowned in the Gulf of Mexico in a paratrooper training accident Wednesday, was to arrive in Belmont tonight. His bride, the former June Roberts, Belmont, to whom he was married June 18, and who was with him in Georgia, also was to arrive today.

Pfc. Moody was born in Belmont and was graduated from Belmont high school…”

In the July 17, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal notice for “Pfc. Moody Services,” stated that the services were happening at the home of his parents at and the Methodist church. The notice stated that “The Platteville post of the American Legion will be in charge of military rites.”

From the July 19, 1945 The Platteville Journal and Grant County News, it was noted that Pvt. Moody was the “First Belmont Service Man Killed in War.”

On the 1945 Florida Death Certificate index, it gave the date of death as July 11, 1945 and the place of death for Norman L. Moody as Franklin County, Florida.

Private Norman L. Moody’s death status was DNB, died non-battle. He received the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, awarded posthumously. 

Private Moody is listed on the National Archives WWII Gold Star Honor Roll for Lafayette County, Wisconsin.

Private Moody was buried in Belmont Cemetery in Lafayette County, Wisconsin. 

Thank you, Private Norman Leslie Moody, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.