In 1917, Norwest earned the Military Medal during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, in recognition of his contribution to the conquering of a significant point along the ridge. In the three months preceding the battle, Norwest killed 59 enemy soldiers. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the bar to his Military Medal. He was one of only 90 men in the CEF to earn the Military Medal with Bar. Only three months before the war ended, Norwest was on a mission to find a German sniper's lair when he was killed by the enemy sniper.