Nancy Belle Craft Norton

Nancy Belle Craft Norton (August 4, 1872 – December 1, 1963) was employed by the U.S. Government to teach at Manila High School in the Philippines when war with Japan was declared in 1941.

Due to her freedom, selflessness and persistence she was able to successfully persevere while dealing with Japanese authorities at the following camps: Bilibid, Pasay, Santo Tomas, Clark Field, Cabanatuan and other locations she attempted to enter.

[15] By planting a victory garden in the camp and contributing its produce to the food pantry she continued to aid others until the liberation of Santo Tomas by Filipino guerillas and elements of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division on February 3, 1945.

[2] Before and after the presentation, dozens of former internees and prisoners of war related their knowledge of the good deeds performed by “Miss Nancy Belle” in the Philippines.

During the following decade, Nancy lived with relatives on the west coast of the U.S. and during her final years she received care at a nursing home near San Diego, California.

After suffering from a series of medical issues and a fall, which caused her left hip to break,[13] Nancy Belle Craft Norton died at the age of 91 in a San Diego hospital on December 1, 1963.