U.S Soldier Waits 70 Years to see His World War II Girlfriend

Norwood Thomas waited  a full seven decades to be reunited with his World War II girlfriend, Joyce Morris, in Australia, just days before Valentine’s Day. Thomas boarded a flight leaving Norfolk International Airport, and headed to see his sweetheart on the other side of the world.

Prior to his trip Thomas told a local television station that he was really looking forward to the reunion. He admitted he was pretty excited, even if he did not fully realize it yet, that he was going to actually meet his old sweetheart. The 20-hour plane ride can be long and hard, but it is nothing in comparison to the years he and Morris have spent apart. He is certainly looking forward to seeing her, more than to the actual trip and seeing Australia.

The reunion is a result of an internet search conducted by Morris’s son Rob a few months ago. His mother asked him to search for Thomas to see if he was alive and potentially willing to talk despite all the time that had passed.

Rob was able to find information on Thomas, which allowed them to talk on a Skype call. After the call, news of this love story started to travel around the globe. It touched the hearts of people all over the world, and ultimately led Air New Zealand to facilitate a flight for Thomas and his son Steve to head to Australia to see Morris.

Norwood emphasized his gratitude for the opportunity to see Morris. This trip is certainly a vacation, but Thomas has plans to address a very important issue once he arrives. He wants to find out why Morris would not move to the United States with him after the war ended. Norwood feels it will be good to get her explanation, ibut does not know how either of them will feel after all these years of living in two different worlds.

The two had dated while he was stationed in London, but when the war ended he returned to the United States. In a letter he had asked Morris to move to the U.S., but somehow she misread the letter and thought he was already married. She declined the invitation, and the two went their separate ways.

The entire trip will not focus on the past, though. Norwood plans to experience new things together while they can. He wants to see a few kangaroos up close, and get a taste of some kangaroo steak as well. Of course the two romantics also plan to spend Valentine’s Day together. He got her a card already, sent her a gift, and plans to buy fresh flowers once he arrives.

Once the couple reunited, they immediately embraced one another as if no time had passed. Morris joked that she was happy to see Norwood was still vertical. He though that she still looked great. Thomas admitted in an interview that it was the most wonderful thing that could have ever happened to him, and Morris was smiling right by his side.

Ian Harvey

Ian Harvey is one of the authors writing for WAR HISTORY ONLINE