Honoring Our Heroes

Corporal Andrew Carnegie Nolin: Age 86

Corporal (Cpl) Andrew Carnegie Nolin served three years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps and three years in the Marine Corps Reserve. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Motor Vehicle Operator. He received the Good Conduct Medal.

Cpl Nolin was born August 22, 1937 to his parents, A. C. and Agnes Nolin at Montgomery, AL, where he was reared. After graduating from Lanier High School in 1955, Cpl Nolin attended Auburn University for two years, and he joined the U.S. Marine Corps October 1, 1957.

Cpl Nolin's military service involved his serving as a chauffeur to three different U.S. Navy admirals from the aircraft carriers, USS Intrepid, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and USS Independence. The USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-) also known as the Mighty I was one of 24 Esser-class aircraft carriers built during WWII. The USS Franklin D. Roosevelt was the second of three Midway-class aircraft carriers. The USS Independence, final member of the Forrestal class of conventionally powered aircraft supercarriers, was one of the Navy's best aircraft carriers, and it had the most battle experience.

Cpl Nolin was stationed at Mayport, FL, for a couple of months around October 1958 while on the USS Intrepid. While serving on the USS FDR and USS Independence, he was stationed at the Naval Station at Norfolk, VA. When the USS Independence was being repaired at dry dock in New York City, he would hitchhike home to Virginia on Fridays to be with his family on Saturdays and then hitchhike back to NYC on Sundays. On the USS Intrepid, he cruised the Caribbean Sea. On the USS FDR, he cruised the North Atlantic Ocean, and on the USS Independence, he cruised the Mediterranean Sea. Cpl Nolin completed his active duty military service July 15, 1960 at Albany, GA.

After his military service, Cpl Nolin graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. Degree in Industrial Management in 1962. He returned to Montgomery and worked with his father and uncle who owned Nolin Manufacturing Company which made commercial refrigeration equipment for supermarkets and convenience stores. There were three locations of this company in Montgomery. He ran the company until 1971 when the company was sold. Next, he formed his own company, Freedom Oil Company, and drilled for oil for eight years in KY, MS, LA and other states until 1979. He then worked in real estate development in northwest FL and speculated in real estate in other areas.

Cpl Nolin and his wife, Syble (Baker), are the proud parents of two children, Michael Andrew Nolin and Dawn Nolin Geiger, and they enjoy spending time with three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He has served as a deacon, and he has been a Sunday School teacher for over 60 years at the Capital Heights Baptist Church at Montgomery, AL. He has enjoyed hunting and fishing for many years.

Concerning his military service, Cpl Nolin summed it up with the following words: "I was proud to be a Marine during the first years of my marriage. I was gone a lot, and my wife and I learned how to support each other as we grew up together. It was an important part of the foundation for our 65 years of marriage." Cpl Nolin has lived at the same location at the top of one of the highest hills in Montgomery since he was six years old except when he served in the Marine Corps. He built his current home and assisted in remodeling three others where family members have lived on the hill. He purchased architectural wood and antique fixtures for use in building and decorating his house. He would like people to remember him as being a good son, husband and father and as a servant of the Lord.