NORMA SHINNO IRVING DONLON
Norma Donlon is the widow of Col. Roger H.C. Donlon, the Congressional Medal of Honor (MOH) recipient for whom Chapter 75 is named. Norma was born during WWII in the Camp Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas. As a young adult, she attended El Camino College & Pierce College in California. She married 1st Lt. John W. Irving, a U.S. Army Ranger, and became a Gold Star Wife when he was killed in Vietnam. Four years later she married Col. Donlon, a career Special Forces soldier who had been awarded the MOH for his valor in Vietnam in 1964.
Norma has been actively involved in numerous military & community organizations. She is an avid speaker & spokeswoman for a variety of military causes & has received numerous awards & service medals, including the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution most prestigious award, the NSDAR Medal of Honor. She has supported SF Soldiers & their families for over 55 years & has been honored by the Special Forces Trust with the Maggie Raye Award for lifetime of service. In addition, the Special Forces Charitable Trust created the "Norma Donlon Care Provider Program" which provides one-time grants to help SF soldiers & their families.
Along with her advocacy work, Norma has shared her experiences through her memoir, "Soldiers Widow...Soldiers Wife...Soldiers Mother". This book highlights her resilience & perseverance and the lessons learned from her life in a military family. Her story is an inspiration to so many others, showcasing her strength & courage as a military widow, wife & mother. Her life has been a testament to her love & service, making her a prominent figure in both military & community circles. Purchase of Norma's book makes possible a donation to charitable organizations that support our Veterans & their families.
Soldiers Widow… Soldiers Wife… Soldiers Mother…
by Norma Shinno Irving Donlon. Forward by Gary Sinise
LifeRich Publishing (June 15, 2025) 202 pages.
Available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.
