Norman Taylor Lee

Prejudice and Discrimination in the United States Air Force (Usaf) and the United States Air Force Security Service (Usafss) 1955-1975 Norman Taylor Lee

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.