Norman E. Kelm

Mannheim, Germany
  • Military specialty: Armor Tank Crew
  • Awards: Unknown

b. 30 May 1928.  Norman E. Kelm was born in Waterville, MN to Carl and Esther Kelm.  Norman attended twelve grades of school.

Norman joined the U.S. Army on 10 Dec 1952 and stayed on active duty until 1 Dec 1954.  He served during the Korean War as a member of the 510th Tank Battalion located in Mannheim, Germany, and was an Armor Tank crew member.  His unit crest was a buffalo above the motto “Ready and Forward”.  On the class A uniform was worn a buffalo pin on each shoulder.  The Allentown, PA newspaper wrote an article telling about an extra buffalo calf in the game preserve.  The unit contacted the newspaper and stated they would like a buffalo calf to be the mascot for the 510th Battalion.  The preserve donated the calf and it was flown to Mannheim, named Geronimo, and lived at the Sullivan Barracks.  The idea of a mascot was conceived as a way of boosting unit morale.  The name Geronimo was chosen because the 510th was the successor to the 10th Cavalry Regiment which fought in the Indian Wars against the famous Indian Chief Geronimo.

He was married to Margaret Kuehl on 22 Aug 1959 and his occupation was that of a farmer. The family moved to Westbrook, MN in 1962.

  • Obituary: None on file