Name/Title
Footlocker, Kinchloe AFBEntry/Object ID
2014.1.61Description
Standard US Norman “Bud” James Longton
Service: Marines: 1942 – 1945;
Air Force: 1952 – 1955 and 1965 – 1968
The colorful Air Force footlocker caught the eye of a museum member at a flea market in Algonac, Michigan. It was buried in the back of a booth and filed with random blankets. It has been on display in the main museum gallery for several years, but the story it held was untold, until now.
Norman Longton was born on April 15, 1924 in River Rouge, Michigan. He attended River Rouge High School before enlisting in the Marines on December 12, 1942. He served in WWII until being released on February 12, 1945. According to Marine Muster Rolls, Longton spent his first few years at Camp Elliot in San Diego, California. He enlisted in the Air Force on February 13, 1952 and served until being released on July 21, 1955. Longton would go on to reenlist in the Air Force on August 4, 1965. We know from the information written on his footlocker that he served with the 449th Bomb Wing that was stationed at Kincheloe Air Force Base in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This division supported SAC combat operations in Southeast Asia in the midst of the war in Vietnam. He was released from the Air Force for the second time on December 31, 1968. Longton passed away on January 27, 2001. All of this information was found on Ancestry.com.
footlocker with tray, painted blue and marked in Yellow and red to TSGT N.J. Longton, 449th Bomb Wing, Kinchloe AFB, Michigan.Cataloged By
Chris CausleyAcquisition
Accession
2014.1Source (if not Accessioned)
Chris CausleyMade/Created
Date made
circa 1947 - circa 1980Time Period
Cold War, Vietnam WarPlace
Military Installation
Kinross Army Air Field / Kincheloe Air Force BaseCity
Sault Ste. MarieCounty
Chippewa CountyState/Province
Michigan* Untyped Place
United StatesLocation
Location
Other
MI Base display areaCategory
Exhibit
