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Norwood Wall Fleming
West Point, 1955
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Jim Ryan on September 10, 2010:
MEMORIAL ARTICLE
NORWOOD WALL FLEMING - '55
No. 20241 (23 November 1932 - 28 October 1998)
Died at Weaverville, NC. Interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VA.
Norwood (Woodie) Fleming was a southern boy which would explain his low-keyed nature, cool manner, and wonderful sense of humor. He was born in Camden, SC, son of John and Margaret (Wall) Fleming. The outdoors was always his favorite place to be which logically brought him to scouting. After high school graduation in Andrews, SC, Woodie served the first of his two plebe years at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Having found the Spartan life to his liking, he sought and was granted an appointment to West Point by Senator Maybank. Woodie thrived in all ways at West Point. Academically, he ranked high in the upper quarter of his class. As for other pursuits, his Howitzer entry says it best - he had a knack of getting mixed up in everything; chapel activities, numerous clubs, the Dialectic Society, and the Pointer staff. He also loved music and played clarinet in the Cadet Rally Band.
After graduation, Woodie married and was assigned to Regensburg, West Germany where a son and daughter were born. The years 1960-62 found the family at Anniston Army Depot in AL. From 1963-65, Woodie served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, MD where he commanded a company. Subsequently, in 1966-67, Woodie served at MACV (Vietnam). In 1968 his third son was born (with several more to follow later) at Palo Alto, CA; and he received his Master of Science degree which greatly influenced several future assignments and his civilian pursuits after retirement. These positions, sequentially: being on the staff at the Army Command and General Staff College (1968 - 71) and, in the Washington, DC area, with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff Research, Development, and Acquisition (1975-76), Army Materiel Development, and Readiness Command (1976-79) and the Concepts Analysis Agency (1979-81). Additionally, in the midst of those challenging assignments, Woodie attended the British Staff College (1971- 73) and commanded the 3d Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 3d Infantry Division.
In 1981, he married Donna Pickard at Alexandria, VA, retired from the Army, and commenced work with BETAC Corporation; first as senior Technical Staff and, then, Senior Program Manager. Woodie and Donna settled in Annandale, VA. In 1992, they retired again moving to Weaverville, NC near Asheville to enjoy the mountains' beauty and solitude.
Woodie and Donna found service to their church and work with the Historic Preservation Society very satisfying. They devoted much of their time to these pursuits and to travel for visits with far-flung children and grandchildren. Sadly, their time together ended all too soon when Woodie died of lymphoma. His wonderful, casual manner and sense of humor won Woodie many friends, much respect, and admiration throughout his lifetime.
He was dedicated to the Academy and faithfully served his church and the Country.
Woodie himself, family, and classmates November 2009
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