Interview with Thomas James Northcutt, 2006

Born in Cincinnati in 1923, Mr. Northcutt was educated in both Ohio and Florida, graduating from the Riverside Military Academy in Hollywood. Afterward, he enrolled in the University of Ohio and was still a freshman when Japan launched its raid on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Consequently, Mr. Northcutt enlisted in the B5 flying program of the U.S. Navy the following year. He served as a Naval fighter pilot during the last two years of World War II and during his service earned four Gold Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and a Citation for Meritous Achievement. Following the war, Mr. Northcutt joined his mother, who had moved to Atlanta, and finished his AA degree. Afterwards, he went to law school at the University of Georgia with the aid of the GI Bill. Although he graduated from law school, Mr. Northcutt has never practiced law. He instead became a real estate developer, and in the early 1970s came to Florida for a real estate deal in Bal Harbour. He has lived here ever since. Although now 82 years old, Mr. Northcutt is still an active developer, and along with his wife of twenty years, Kaye Lynne, a sponsor of the arts in Florida.