Norman completes 23-year Naval career

Michael Norman, an Ashburnham native and a 1983 graduate of Oakmont Regional High School, retired from the Navy on June 9, 2006, after serving his country for 23 years. He advanced to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.

He enlisted in the Navy on May 14, 1983. In his career, he attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, Conn. and Machinist Mate Auxiliary Package School, in Charleston S.C. He served on the USS Daniel Webster; qualified in submarines and was awarded his silver dolphins. Over four years Norman conducted seven deterrent patrols out of Holy Loch, Scotland and was advanced to Second Class Petty Officer.

He attended the Naval Submarine School in Groton and was assigned to teach Instructor Training and Curriculum and Development and Instructional Strategies courses. He was awarded the Master Training Specialist.

In the spring of 1992, Norman led the USS Philadelphia through a two-year Engineered Refueling Overhaul in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He was twice deployed to the North Atlantic.

After nearly 15 years of service in Groton, Norman became a recruiter in Wheeling, West Virginia, earning seven gold wreaths for recruiting excellence.

He reported back to sea as the 3M Coordinator aboard the USS Buffalo and was deployed in the Western Pacific. In August of 2003 he transferred to his final assignment in Honolulu, Hawaii as COMSUBPAC Force 3M and Calibration Coordinator where he had oversight of all Pacific Fleet submarines Maintenance and Material Management and Calibration programs.

During his career Senior Chief Norman was awarded three Navy Commendation Medals, five Navy Achievement Medals, four Meritorious Unit Commendations, five Battle Efficiency ribbons, five Good Conduct Medals, Navy Expeditionary Medal, two National Defense Medals, the Global War an Terrorism Medal, five Sea Service Deployment ribbons, the Navy Recruiting Service ribbon, the Navy Arctic Service ribbon, the Expert Rifleman Medal and the Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

He is married to the former Robin Ratcliffe of Wheeling, W.V. They reside in Aiea, Hawaii. Norman has two children from a former marriage, Samantha, 14, and Christopher, 11, who reside in Ohio. He is the son of Paul and Jean Norman of Ashburnham.