PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS THOMAS E. RETZER - U.S. Navy
Hometown / City: SAN DIEGO, CA SAN DIEGO
Date of Death: Thursday, June 26, 2003
Conflict: Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Petty Officer 1st Class
Unit: COMNAVSPECWARDEVGRU DAM NECK VA
Birth: Mar. 10, 1973
San Diego
San Diego County
California, USA
Death: Jun. 26, 2003, Afghanistan
Navy Petty Officer First Class Retzer was assigned to a Virginia Beach-based SEAL (SEa, Air, Land) Team as a radio operator and technician. Retzer was wounded June 25 after his convoy encountered enemy forces outside Gardez. He was transported to Bagram Air Base hospital in Afghanistan, where he died of his wounds. Originally from Southern California, Thomas graduated from Mount Whitney High School, Visalia, Calif. Shortly after enlisting in the Navy, he entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in San Diego and graduated in 1994, Class 198. His awards and decorations include Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He also has several other individual awards pending approval. Tom loved anything associated with the outdoors, from going to the beach to mowing the lawn. He was a 10-year Navy veteran, survived by his wife, Courtney, and two sons, ages 5 and 21 months.
Burial:
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
San Diego
San Diego County
California, USA
Plot: Section V, Site 1043
