Col. Norvin Elwood "Nod" Rader graduated from Elnora Indiana high school, the University of Oklahoma, the Air Force Squadron Officer's School, the Command and Staff School at the Air University, and the Industrial College of the Armed Services.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and was commissioned as a pilot officer in the Army Air Force in 1943. He served as a bomber pilot and a fighter pilot through World War II, Korea and the Vietnam era. He was awarded the following honors: the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, a Commendation Medal for the U.S. Air Force, the Commendation Medal for the US Army, the US Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, World War II American Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two battle stars, United Nations Campaign Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters.

He served at Langley AFB, Reese AFB, Lackland AFB, Waco AFB (you can tell that was a while ago), Andrews AFB, Wiesbaden AFB and then Lindsey AFB, and the Pentagon.