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Home Town Born Oakland, raised in Salinas, CA
Date of Passing Jan 11, 2013
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Nori entered Johns Hopkins University and graduated in 1956. In his four years at the University he enjoyed being a member of and Chapter President of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He graduated with B.S. in Biological Sciences and was about to start Medical School when his life took a different turn. He walked into the Baltimore Post Office and met a Navy Chief and a Marine Sargent and two weeks later, he found himself standing on the tarmac at Whiting Field, Florida.
He was commissioned as an Ensign in October 1957 and assigned to flight training in Pensacola, where he earned his Naval Aviator wings and was assigned to fly AD-6 SKYRAIDERs at NAS Alameda.
Captain Endo's operational assignments included Attack Squadron VA-95 on the USS Ranger home ported at NAS Alameda, Training Squadron VT-28, Corpus Christi, Texas, VA-215 BarnOwls on the USS Hancock, CVA-19 where he served two tours in Vietnam and later a tour in the Mediterranean flying A-4's on the USS Roosevelt.
His shore assignments included attending, the U.S. Naval War College, Command and Staff College, Newport, Rhode Island, U. S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA earning a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering, CINPACFLT, San Diego, Commanding Officer, Naval Plant Representative Office at Grumman Corporation Bethpage, NY, Project Manager for the F-14 TOMCAT/Phoenix Program, Naval Air Systems command, Crystal City, VA.
From 1978 to 1980, Captain Endo was Commanding Officer, Navy Plant Representative Office (NPRO) at Grumman Aircraft Corporation in Bethpage, NY where he had oversight responsibility to ensure that the highly sophisticated and complex F-14 aircraft and accompanying Phoenix missile system were manufactured and delivered on-time, on-cost and of the of the highest quality providing for Naval aircrews a weapons system of unmatched combat performance. As he oversaw this multi-billion dollar aircraft and missile development and production corporation, CAPT Endo was acknowledged as the consummate NPRO officer possessing that unique blend of inspirational leadership, and an extensive background in engineering, manufacturing, contracting and quality assurance expertise --all tied together with a natural instinct to know and do the right thing.
From August 1980 through December 1983, CAPT Endo was the program manager for the Navy's premier and now legendary aircraft - the F14 Tomcat - a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft capable of long-range and simultaneously intercept and attack of six targets with its powerful Track-While Scan (TWS) and six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles. During this time, CAPT ENDO had cradle-to-grave management responsibility for over 300 F-14 aircraft, and was transformative in his management style and technique by instituting the then essentially unknown Integrated Program Team (IPT) - now considered standard practice. Because of the upgrade and enhancement programs that he initiated or incorporated, the F-14 Tomcat has served the true test of time - a 1970's developed aircraft still considered critical to the success of Operations Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Awards and Decorations: Distinguished Flying Cross, 12 Individual Air Medals, Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and Gold Star in lieu of second Award, (of another Distinguished Flying Cross), Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
He was promoted to the rank of Navy Captain (0-6) distinguishing himself as one of only a few Japanese-American pilots to reach that rank.
After retiring from the Navy in January 1984, he joined Grumman Aerospace Corporation and was assigned to their Tokyo, Japan office for five years. Nori was able to thrive and form a great deal of trust and understanding in a time of guarded East-West relations. Grumman was awarded a large contract with the Japanese government during this time but his greatest personal accomplishment while in Japan was the birth of the Japanese Lacrosse Association.
Other Comments:
Norio "Nori" Bruce Endo was born in Oakland, CA on April 4, 1934 and was the oldest of three sons to Kikuo and Lily Endo. He was raised in Salinas, CA until World War II at which time his entire family was interned in Poston, AZ Relocation Camp #2. After release from the relocation camp with his parents and younger brothers, the family moved to Minneapolis, MN for one year and then to Riverdale, MD where he attended Calvert Holmes Elementary School and Riverdale Junior High School. This is when Nori showed his first love of flying by building and flying balsa wood aircraft models.
During his early school years Nori was actively involved with the Boy Scouts and achieved Eagle Scout while a member of University Park Scout Troop 214. Nori graduated from McKinley High School in Washington, DC in 1952.
Nori was an active member of the United States Naval Academy Protestant Congregation and supported, along with his wife Ruth, the "Fisherman's Table"; a monthly fellowship gathering for Naval Academy Chapel Service attendees and Midshipmen. A Celebration of Nori's life was held at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel. Internment was at Arlington National Cemetery.
Request for assistance, on any dates of commands listed. Thank you.
Captain Nori Endo, USN (Ret.) passed away on Jan. 11, 2013 at the age of 78.
Norio "Nori" Bruce Endo was born in Oakland, CA on April 4, 1934 and was the oldest of three sons to Kikuo and Lily Endo. He was raised in Salinas, CA until World War II at which time his entire family was interned in Poston, AZ Relocation Camp #2. After release from the relocation camp with his parents and younger brothers, the family moved to Minneapolis, MN for one year and then to Riverdale, MD where he attended Calvert Holmes Elementary School and Riverdale Junior High School. This is when Nori showed his first love of flying by building and flying balsa wood aircraft models.
During his early school years Nori was actively involved with the Boy Scouts and achieved Eagle Scout while a member of University Park Scout Troop 214. Nori graduated from McKinley High School in Washington, DC in 1952.
Nori often talked of three places where, when not in school, he worked during the 1950's. These work experiences shaped his life and the man he would become. At the Surveying Department of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission he developed a real respect for how hard people work to take care of their families, learned surveying skills and developed a love of maps. At Camp Deerwood in Holderness, NH where Nori worked as a Camp Counselor, he was able to put his energies to use supervising adventures for the campers where he was able to teach them to be responsible, helped them gain confidence in themselves and he continued to hone his leadership skills. At Prince George's County Hospital Nori accepted whatever task he was asked to do and received early insight on real life and real death.
He entered Johns Hopkins University and graduated in 1956. In his four years at the University he enjoyed being a member of and Chapter President of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He graduated with B.S. in Biological Sciences and was about to start Medical School when his life took a different turn. He walked into the Baltimore Post Office and met a Navy Chief and a Marine Sargent and two weeks later, he found himself standing on the tarmac at Whiting Field, Florida.
He was commissioned as an Ensign and assigned to flight training in Pensacola, where he earned his Naval Aviator wings and was assigned to fly AD-6 SKYRAIDERs at NAS Alameda.
Captain Endo's operational assignments included Attack Squadron VA-95 on the USS Ranger home ported at NAS Alameda, Training Squadron VT-28, Corpus Christi, Texas, VA-215 Barnowls on the US Hancock, CVA-19 where he served two tours in Vietnam and later a tour in the Mediterranean flying A-4's on the USS Roosevelt.
His shore assignments included attending, the U.S. Naval War College, Command and Staff College, Newport, Rhode Island, U. S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA earning a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering, CINPACFLT, San Diego, Commanding Officer, Naval Plant Representative Office at Grumman Corporation Bethpage, NY, Project Manager for the F-14 TOMCAT/Phoenix Program, Naval Air Systems command, Crystal City, VA.
From 1978 to 1980, Captain Endo was Commanding Officer, Navy Plant Representative Office (NPRO) at Grumman Aircraft Corporation in Bethpage, NY where he had oversight responsibility to ensure that the highly sophisticated and complex F-14 aircraft and accompanying Phoenix missile system were manufactured and delivered on-time, on-cost and of the of the highest quality providing for Naval aircrews a weapons system of unmatched combat performance. As he oversaw this multi-billion dollar aircraft and missile development and production corporation, CAPT Endo was acknowledged as the consummate NPRO officer possessing that unique blend of inspirational leadership, and an extensive background in engineering, manufacturing, contracting and quality assurance expertise --all tied together with a natural instinct to know and do the right thing.
From August 1980 through December 1983, CAPT Endo was the program manager for the Navy's premier and now legendary aircraft - the F14 Tomcat - a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft capable of long-range and simultaneously intercept and attack of six targets with its powerful Track-While Scan (TWS) and six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles. During this time, CAPT ENDO had cradle-to-grave management responsibility for over 300 F-14 aircraft, and was transformative in his management style and technique by instituting the then essentially unknown Integrated Program Team (IPT) - now considered standard practice. Because of the upgrade and enhancement programs that he initiated or incorporated, the F-14 Tomcat has served the true test of time - a 1970's developed aircraft still considered critical to the success of Operations Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Awards and Decorations: Distinguished Flying Cross, 12 Individual Air Medals, Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and Gold Star in lieu of second Award, (of another Distinguished Flying Cross), Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
He was promoted to the rank of Navy Captain (0-6) distinguishing himself as one of only a few Japanese-American pilots to reach that rank.
After retiring from the Navy in 1984, he joined Grumman Aerospace Corporation and was assigned to their Tokyo, Japan office for five years. Nori was able to thrive and form a great deal of trust and understanding in a time of guarded East-West relations. Grumman was awarded a large contract with the Japanese government during this time but his greatest personal accomplishment while in Japan was the birth of the Japanese Lacrosse Association.
Johns Hopkins University Vice-President and Secretary Ross Jones was in Tokyo when he expressed to Nori his desire to stir up interest of lacrosse in Japan. Mr. Jones thought the Japanese athletes with their quickness and smarts would be a natural fit for the sport. Nori committed to Ross to get it done and found 16 Keio University students who were willing to break the Japanese mold and try lacrosse. Back in the US, Ross convinced JHU Athletic Director Bob Scott to host clinics back in Japan.
The Japan Lacrosse Association was born and their slogan, Lacrosse Makes Friends, represents the intent and meaning of lacrosse in Japan. Its purpose is to bridge the cultural divide between nations in business and government by having the youth bond on the sports field. When the JLA was founded by Nori 27 years ago it began with 16 students and today it has grown to over 100,000 who are fond of cheering "Lacrosse Makes Friends."
After 5 years in Japan, Nori moved back Stateside and a few years later, retired from Grumman.
In 2000 Nori married his wife Ruth and a new adventure began. Nori continued to serve his community thru his volunteer work with the non-profit association SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives). Nori especially liked helping small business owners realize their dream of getting off the ground and growing and achieving their goals.
Nori was an avid golfer for many years. As with most things in his life he was a student of perfection and was able to lower his golf handicap to a single digit. In his recent past he belonged to two golf leagues where he made many friends, the "Old Boys Golf" League and United States Naval Academy Golf Association Senior Men.
Nori was a natural artist who enjoyed painting but in recent years became passionate about bird carving. Bird carving was a wonderful hobby for his artistic abilities and he became particularly proud of this creative outlet. He was a member of The Arundel Carvers Club where he really enjoyed the fellowship, support and sharing of skills with other artists. Nori's carvings will be a lovely memory to his family.
Nori was an active member of the United States Naval Academy Protestant Congregation and supported his wife Ruth with the "Fisherman's Table"; a monthly fellowship gathering for Naval Academy Chapel Service attendees and Midshipmen.
Up until his death, Nori continued to support the JLA mission by acting as a liaison between the Japanese and American lacrosse programs.
In addition to being survived by his devoted wife Ruth, Nori is also survived by daughters Michelle (LTC John) Cole of Templeton CA, Tracey (Mike) Balazs of Cape St. Claire, Kiyomi Endo of Annapolis, son Bill (Shari) Endo of Cumming GA, daughters Jenny (Steve) Cone of Arnold, Amy Huff of Edgewater, son Nathan (Wendy) Huff of Baltimore, his brother LTC Toki (Vicki) Endo, USAF (Ret.), of Yorba Linda CA, mother and father-in-law Fred and Doris Jones of Rising Sun, his former wife Kimiyo Tahira Dowell of Benecia CA, sister-in-law Sumiko Endo of Honolulu, HI, seven precious grandchildren, his beloved "girls" Maggie and Gigi and many devoted friends and extended family.
A Celebration of Nori's life will be held at 11:00 am January 23rd at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel. Internment and a second memorial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
As an expression of sympathy the family requests in lieu of flowers a memorial contribution be made to either: Japan Lacrosse Association - USA Branch. 408 Chester Ave. #E, Annapolis, MD 21403 A 503(c)(1) or: Anne M. Kennan/Dept. of Medicine, Development Office Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine (Leukemia Research CLL / Drs. Shanbhag and Morrison) 5200 Eastern Ave. MFL Center Tower/Ste. 355/Baltimore, MD 21224 (Checks drafted to "Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine")
For any additional information please e-mail kiyomi29@gmail.com
Fair Winds and Following Seas
You may view the Fort Myer Map in the Funeral Services tab under Captain Nori Endo's Program.
Beginning at 1pm on Monday, April 15th there will be a brief Memorial Service at Memorial Chapel located at 101 McNair Road, Ft. Myer, VA. Ft. Myer is adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. All persons must have a photo ID. Cars without DOD stickers will be searched so please allow up to an hour to clear security.
Following the Memorial Service cars will join procession from the Chapel to the caisson transfer point on Arlington National Cemetery grounds. (don't be concerned about being separated as I am told this is at procession speed of 15-20 mph). You may park your car at the caisson transfer point and walk behind the caisson OR you may continue to drive about ΒΌ mile closer to the burial site, park along the road and walk from that point.
At the burial site, please join the family on the side where chairs are located. After the burial please join us at the Women's Memorial Museum, located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Refreshments and fellowship from 2-4pm. Paid parking at the Visitor's Center at Arlington National Cemetery parking garage. You will pass the Memorial on your way to parking garage and you can pause to drop off passengers if you would like. See the attached map for location. Directions to Ft. Myer: Use Hatfield Gate (Main Gate) Located on Washington Blvd at South 2nd Street From Annapolis: Route 50 West Take MD 201/Kenilworth Ave exit towards I-295/Alexandria Merge onto MD201/Kenilworth Ave, entering DC Continue onto Hwy 295 (~4 miles) Exit onto I-695 West (~.7 mile) Merge onto I-695 W (1.6 miles) Continue onto I-395 S, entering Virginia (2.5 miles) Take exit 8A for VA-27/Washington Blvd towards Pentagon South Parking/S Arl Ridge Rd (.1 mile) Keep right at the fork, follow sings for VA 27/ VA 244/ Washington Blvd / Columbia Pike / South Arl Ridge Rd and merge onto VA-27 W/ S. Washington Blvd (1.9 mile) Take Exit toward Ft Myer Main Gate/Hatfield Gate will be on the right at the 2nd Street cross street After passing through the gate, the Chapel is straight ahead. There is parking alongside of the Chapel. Remember - All persons must have a photo ID. Cars without DOD stickers will be searched so please allow up to an hour to clear security.
From 1978 to 1980, Captain Endo was Commanding Officer, Navy Plant Representative Office (NPRO) at Grumman Aircraft Corporation in Bethpage, NY where he had oversight responsibility to ensure that the highly sophisticated and complex F-14 aircraft and accompanying Phoenix missile system were manufactured and delivered on-time, on-cost and of the of the highest quality providing for Naval aircrews a weapons system of unmatched combat performance. As he oversaw this multi-billion dollar aircraft and missile development and production corporation, CAPT Endo was acknowledged as the consummate NPRO officer possessing that unique blend of inspirational leadership, and an extensive background in engineering, manufacturing, contracting and quality assurance expertise --all tied together with a natural instinct to know and do the right thing. 
