More detail on this person: LtGen Norman Ehlert, VMO-2 (65-66)
It is my very sad duty to inform you of the death of Lieutenant General Norman E. Ehlert, USMC
(Ret.). He passed away on 23 September 2002. Major Chuck Ehlert, son of LtGen Ehlert, is the point
of contact for the family and can be reached at (760) 415-4349.
There will be a full honors ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on 9 October 2002 at 0900.
Further information will be published as soon as it is available.
Lieutenant General Ehlert graduated from Drake University where he received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Economics. He completed the Officer Candidates Course in December 1961 and
commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
In June 1962 he completed The Basic School and was reassigned to Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL
where he entered flight training. Designated a Naval Aviator in December 1963, he was assigned to
Marine Observation Squadron-6 at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif. In April 1965 he was
transferred to VMO-2, which deployed from Okinawa to DaNang, Vietnam. While at DaNang and Marble
Mountain, RVN, General Ehlert flew the UH-1 aircraft.
During April 1966, General Ehlert was reassigned to VMO-5, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, where he flew
both the UH-1E and OV-10. He remained at VMO-5 until October 1968, when he returned to Marble
Mountain, RVN and joined VMO-2. During this tour, General Ehlert was assigned as the squadron
maintenance officer, flying the UH-1E, AH-1G and the OV-10A aircraft.
Transferred to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing in December 1969, he transitioned to jets and
subsequently joined VMA (AW)-121 as the maintenance officer flying the A-6A.
From September 1971 to August 1973, General Ehlert was assigned to VMA (AW)-242 at El Toro,
where he served as the maintenance officer and as the squadron operations officer. Selected for the
Advanced Degree Program in August 1973, he attended the University of Southern California, earning
his master's degree in Systems Management. Upon completion of school in January 1975, he was
ordered to WestPac and joined VMA (AW)-533, MAG-12 at Iwakuni, Japan, serving as the squadron
executive officer.
In April 1976, he returned from overseas to an assignment at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington,
D.C., where he served as a system resource manager. During June 1979, he returned to the 3d Marine
Aircraft Wing and assumed command of VMA (AW)-121. He was reassigned as the MAG-13 executive
officer in November 1980.
From June 1981 to June 1982, General Ehlert attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at
Fort McNair. After graduation, he returned to Headquarters Marine Corps as the Head of the Programs
and Budget Section in the Aviation Plans and Programs Branch, Department of Aviation. In April 1984,
he transferred to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) as the Deputy Aviation Plans
and Requirements.
He returned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in June 1986, where he served as the G-3 and then
assumed command of MAG-12 in May 1987. On 22 July 1988, he was promoted to brigadier general
and assigned the duties as the Commander, Forward Headquarters Element/Inspector General for the
United States Central Command, MacDill AFB, FL. Promoted to major general on 18 May 1990, he was
assigned duties as the Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing/Deputy Commander, III MEF,
FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan.
From January 1991 until June 1991, General Ehlert was assigned to Saudi Arabia as Deputy MARCENT
and Commander Marine Forces Southwest Asia. He participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert
Storm. On 10 July 1991, he was assigned duties as the Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary
Force/Commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan. On 2 July 1992, General Ehlert was promoted to the
grade of lieutenant general and assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and
Operations.
His personal decorations include: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Distinguished Service
Medal; Legion of Merit with gold star in lieu of a second award; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air
Medal with gold Numeral 3 and bronze Numeral 43; Navy Commendation Medal; and the Combat Action
Ribbon.
From: Major Van Zandbergen
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
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