Norman C. Killian was born on June 1, 1911, in Collbran, Alabama. He was the son of Ambrose Killian and Evaline Evelyn Arthur Killian. They moved to Bellevue, Ohio, with his parents when Norman was nine years old.

Norman was inducted into the Army in November 1942 and went overseas in October 1944. He served in the 289th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division, as a Private during World War II. He died from wounds received in battle on December 26, 1944, in/near Grandmenil, Belgium. Pvt Killian is now buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Hombourg, Belgium. His name is commemorated on a plaque in the Manhay History 44 Museum, Manhay, Belgium, but his surname is inscribed as Killiam, and he is listed under December 25 casualties.