God cleared Mustang One on to the active Runway 27 and he made his final flight West, slipping the surly bonds of Earth on Oct. 6, 2023.
Col. Glenn L. Nordin, 93, was born on a farm near Siren, Wisconsin, on Nov. 18, 1929, the youngest of eight children. He graduated from Siren High School in 1947 and worked for one year before attending Wisconsin State University, where he was in the first class of Air Force ROTC, met his beloved wife, Mary, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Second Lt. Nordin entered active duty in August 1952, earning his Silver Pilot wings in January 1954. Numerous assignments followed including Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Clark Air Base, Philippine Islands; Kelly Air Force Base, Texas; George Air Force Base, California; the Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to the University of Texas where he earned a master’s degree in government/foreign relations; Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan; Air Force Academy, Colorado; the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia; MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; with a follow-on assignment to Danang Air Base, Vietnam. He completed 169 combat missions, 106 over North Vietnam. He was shot down while on a mission and miraculously rescued by a very brave U.S. Army Huey gunship pilot, Jim White. After his combat tour, he was assigned to HQ USAFE, Germany; Torrejon Air Base, Spain; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he worked as a research associate; the Pentagon; Yokota Air Base, Japan; Osan Air Base, Korea; then back to Yokota Air Base, Japan. Col. Nordin completed 30 years, four months, and three days of active duty with a final assignment at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. His final civilian job was to serve as editor for the Daedalus Flyer, the magazine of the Order of the Daedalians.
Following retirement, Glenn and Mary enjoyed 13 years of travel in their fifth-wheel and spending summers at their home on beautiful Silver Lake, part of the Nordin family farm in Siren. They especially loved having their family visit and enjoy the lake. Glenn was a committed, lifelong Lutheran and always described church as the highlight of his week. He was also a passionate sports fan who was very proud of being a Green Bay Packer stockholder.
While being proud of his service to his country, Glenn held his family closest to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his parents; seven siblings; and daughter, Mary Beth.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; daughter, Glenda, and her husband, Stan; son-in-law, Erik; son, Carl, and his wife, Maria; and daughter, Kirsten, and her husband, Phil; 10 grandchildren and their spouses; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was very proud of his family and loved them dearly.
A memorial service will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Universal City, Texas, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 11:30 a.m. There will be a 1:15 p.m. interment ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Army Residence Community at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of a donation to the Air Force Aid Society.
