Prejudice and Discrimination in the United States Air Force (USAF) and the United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS) 1955-1975

About the Book

For many years, I considered writing my autobiography about the racial conditions my family experienced during my early years of service in the United States Air Force. In July 2013, I lost my lovely wife of fifty-one years and my youngest daughter to severe illnesses within three months of each other, and my determination to write this book became paramount. In my opinion, an autobiography is a special recounting of a person’s life and the momentous circumstances that affected them both positively and negatively. By 1980, the year I retired, prejudice and discrimination had ceased to exist for me as a civilian, or at least it was de jure in Dallas, Texas, which was definitely a surprise for us. In the Air Force Security Service, however, my experiences, for the most part, were just the opposite. The nondisclosure agreement that I signed in relation to my security clearance while in the Air Force extends throughout the duration of my life and prevents me from recounting certain specifics related to classified information. Due to the sensitivity of some of my locations while serving, it is likely that most of it is still classified. With that in mind, I intend to write as truthfully as my memory allows me. Certain facets can be proved by individuals who were involved as well as by documentation in my possession. I do not intend to sugarcoat any aspect, be it good or bad.

About the Author

I was born on October 10, 1937 in Allegheny Country, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Ida Lily Lee (Nee Ward) and Louis Charles (LC) Lee. I am the youngest of seven (7) children and had an uneventful childhood. I went to Beltzhoover Elementary School, Knoxville Junior High School and graduated from South Hills High School in June 1955. After graduation, I enlisted in the United States Air Force and was assigned to Sampson Air Force Base, Geneva, New York for basic training. After basic training I was sent to Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi for training in radio/radar. In May 1980, I retired from the Air Force after 24+ years of service world-wide. I retired from Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon moving to the Dallas area, I went to work for Dallas Housing Authority as a Housing Management Official. While working for Dallas Housing, I attended Dallas Baptist College and graduated with a degree in Economics and Management in 1983. I left Dallas Housing the same year for employment with Lincoln Financial where I sold insurance and other products. In September 1983, I pursued my MBA from Amber University and graduated with a double Major in Human Resource and Financial Management in 1985. I left Lincoln Financial and went to work for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a GS-11, Housing Management Officer in 1989. I retired from HUD in 1998 with a Governmental Buyout. My military service played an important role here. In 1998, I started my own business utilizing the training I had received at HUD. The name of the company was Norm Lee and Associates, Housing Management Consultant. I aided housing authorities all over the state of Texas and in 2012, I decided to retire, once again. At the height of my business I had five (5) employees working for me and attended numerous training schools. Since 2012, I have been completely retired, although I do some consulting with housing authorities.