Norman E. Wickes was born on June 3, 1920 in Bronx, New York. He served in the 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a PFC during World War II. Norman was the Radio Operator on the B-17F Flying Fortress #41-24451 that crashed in Mount Slieveanorra, near Cushendall, Northern Ireland while in transit to Great Britain due to bad weather. Eight of the ten on board were killed, while two survived, including Wickes.

Killed aboard were:
1st Lt. John A. McLean, Pilot
2nd Lt. Leonard L. Koebel, Bombardier
Capt. Dale L. Lasselle - Co-Pilot
Capt. George C. Wassell - passenger
Sgt. Robert J. Vaughan - Gunner
Cpl. John N. Gibson - Radio operator
Pvt. Justin C. Hamblin - Engineer

Survivors:
Corp. Leon Harrison - Flight Engineer
PFC Norman E. Wicks - Radio Operator

Norman died on June 9, 1983 at the age of 63 and is now buried in the Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, Suffolk County, New York, USA. His name is listed on the american monument in Slieve an Orra, Northern Ireland but his surname is spelled "Wicks" and his birthday is printed "January 3, 1920." On his headstone, his rank is a Staff Sergeant in the US Army.