Lt. Col. Norma V. Breedlove

Norma G. Vanderheide was born April 17, 1928 at Owanka, South Dakota. She graduated from high school at Emerson, Nebraska and enlisted in the United States Air Force at Rapid City, South Dakota on February 28. 1949. She received basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and technical training as a clerk-typist at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base Wyoming, before proceeding to her first assignment in the Office of the Director, Women in the Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon. In addition to hr clerical duties, she often models the woman’s first blue uniform for television, publicity releases and official publications of the Air Force. She attended Air Force Officer Candidate School. Lackland Air Force Base, Texas graduating with distinction in Class 52-A on March 21, 1952. The following year, she received a regular commission. During her career, she received an Administrative Officer, Personnel Officer, Protocol Office, Air Transpiration Officer and Transportation Staff Officer. She attended the University of Maryland at numerous campuses, majoring in history and government and politics. Her overseas assignments included Chaumont Air Base, France; Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and RAF Mildenhall, England. She retired n the grade of Lieutenant Colonel at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas May 1, 1971. Her decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. On June 19, 1965 she was married to Lieutenant Commander James D. Breedlove, United States Navy, a naval aviator. They resided in San Antonio, Texas. Following her retirement from the Air Forces, she was employed by the United Services Automobile Association, San Antonio, Texas for 12 ½ years. During which time she re-wrote in simple language many of the insurance policy forms used by the USAA Life Insurance Company. In 1975 she and other formed an association of Air Force women Line Officers. She served as President. She will be buried with her husband Donald “Don” Breedlove husband at the Sam Houston National VA Cemetery in Texas. He as a Naval Officer and flew from 1941 to 1968 and he was the first Navy pilot to fly the largest transport plane, The Hercules C-130 and he trained at the factory when they produced the C-130s and was sent all over the world to train pilots how to fly the C-130 transports. He also was assigned to fly the dignitaries, celebrities, generals and admirals. He logged over 13,000 hours flying.

Lt. Col. Norma V. Breedlove

April 17, 1928 - June 6, 2022

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Lt. Col. Norma V. Breedlove

April 17, 1928 - June 6, 2022

COVID-19

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

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About Us

Obituaries

What We Do

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