In some ways, the past three years seemed to have occupied only a moment, in others, an eternity. Just a little over three years had passed since I helped the Recruiting Officer unload his equipment and set up in the Boston Building. In that interval, I had learned to fly, traveled halfway around the world to fight the Japs, returned to the States and became an LSO. What had I accomplished in that time? Maybe the awards I received indicate, in some small measure, my accomplishments. I earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC); four Air Medals; authorization to wear the Presidential Unit Citation with star, awarded to the USS Yorktown while I was aboard; authorization to wear the Navy Unit Commendation awarded to the USS Wasp while I was aboard; Pacific Defense Medal with four battle stars; Philippine Liberation Medal with one battle star; American Defense Medal; Victory Medal; and authorization to wear the CBI (China, Burma India) patch.

 

This sudden change of events demanded some serious thought. I guess the reason I had not made the decision to apply for transfer to the Regular Navy, was that deep in the back of my mind I had nurtured the idea of a returning to the University and obtaining my degree. I had realized all along that a degree would be necessary for any future in the post war world. My resolve was strong to get home and enter the University of Utah.

---

The account of A Fighter Pilot in the Pacific on the preceding webpages utilized N. P. Stark's Official U.S. Navy Orders, personal flight log books, Pilot's handbooks for the SNJ, F6F, FM2, and TBM, still in my possession, Additional sources of information were newspaper and magazine accounts, personal contacts, publications, maps, aerial photos, and other data brought from the combat zone. Finally, although more than 50 years has elapsed since World War Two, memories of the incidents recounted are etched so deeply in my mind, that they seemed to have occured only yesterday.

Norman P. Stark  LCDR. USNR (Ret,)

 

LCDR Norman P. Stark USNR(R)

 

MILITARY SERVICE

 

U.S. Naval Reserve 1942-1945

 

U.S. Navy 1947-1950

 

EDUCATION

 

University of Colorado 1952 A.B. Geology & Mineralogy

 

University of Utah 1953 M.S. Geology & Mineralogy

 

University of Utah 1953-55 Graduate study toward PH.D.

 

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

 

American Institute of Professional Geologists, Certificate No. 2191

 

Idaho State Registration for Professional. Geologists. Certificate No. 355

 

Commercial Pilots License (fixed wing)

 

PROFESSIONAL AND HONOR SOCIETIES

 

American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG)

 

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

 

SME, Member Society of American Institute of Mining Engineers

 

Sigma Gamma Epsilon

 

Phi Beta Kappa

 

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

 

Consultant - Uranium exploration

 

Standard Oil of California (presently Chevron)

 

Kennecott Copper Exploration Division

 

Lockheed Electronics Co.

 

Union Pacific Natural Resources Division

 

U.S. Bureau of Land Management

 

U.S. Forest Service