Norman Francis Troxell was born on September 21, 1919, in Kansas. He was the son of James C. Troxell. He served in the 512th Bomber Squadron, 376th Bomber Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-24D Liberator #42-40658 during World War II.

On December 28, 1943, the aircraft was lost during combat operations in the Mediterranean Theater of World War II while flying from San Pancrazio Airfield, Italy, on a mission to destroy the marshalling yards at Vicenza. During the attack, the bomber was badly damaged after being engaged by a German Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighter and was ultimately shot down near Monselice in the province of Padua. The aircraft was destroyed in the encounter, resulting in the deaths of four crew members, while the remaining airmen survived the loss.

2nd Lt Troxell was captured by enemy forces, taken prisoner of war, and held at Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia. He died on March 19, 1979, and is now buried in the Fairview Cemetery, New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, https://aviation-safety.net/