Words of Comfort
Pastor Roger Blumenthal of Pantano Christian Church led the Celebration and Remembrance for Norton at the Marana Mortuary & Cemetery. His words are reprinted below, with permission. The family is very grateful for his kind and loving participation.
Memorial Service Opening and Message
Welcome and thank you for joining us. This is a very unique moment for us all. At the battle of Enogai, Private First Class Norton Retzsch was killed in battle on July 9, 1943. Though he was not found, along with 2 others, all 3 were declared dead on July 10, 1943.
The Marines have a motto: Semper Fi, Latin for “always faithful.” Faithful to each other, to the Marines, and to their Country. We are here today because of this motto.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) renewed the search for unaccounted personnel in 2019. Through forensic science and DNA analysis, Norton was identified on April 1, 2025, which brings us here today.
Lost but not forgotten? Missing in person, but not from memory!
Lost But Not Forgotten!
The same can be said of us; we are never so lost that we cannot be found. As we participate together today, I want to encourage you to also reflect personally on the fact that you are part of human history and not forgotten.
83 years ago, after enlisting in the Marines, Private First Class Retzch was killed in an ambush. Though news of his death was shared with his wife and family, his remains were not identified, as his dog tags had been removed by the enemy.
For 83 years, this family has wondered what happened to his remains.
20 years ago, DNA was submitted, but it was not until April of 2025 that progress was made, and he was identified.
About the battle that took his life:
- Objectives: The primary goal was to seize the Enogai barge base and coastal gun emplacements to sever Japanese supply lines between Bairoko and Munda.
- Forces Involved:
- United States: 1st Marine Raider Battalion and elements of the 3rd Battalions, 145th and 148th Infantry Regiments.
- Japan: Approximately 400–800 troops, primarily from the 6th Kure Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) and the Takemura heavy artillery detachment.
- Outcome: American victory. The capture of Enogai provided a forward supply point and base for subsequent operations against Bairoko Harbor later that month.
What’s in a name?
What caught my attention from the beginning, when Judy, Norton’s niece, started telling me about her uncle, was his last name. Then I read about the battle in the Solomon Islands, and the unusual—to me—names of the locations. Then I read this quote recorded regarding this battle, and it all made sense.
At Bairoko Harbor, Colonel Harry Liversedge was leading a small patrol around the Jap positions. On the way back, we heard a noise in the bush ahead. Someone challenged, “Who is it?” A voice answered, “Rites,” and our men immediately opened fire. It was a small enemy ambush. We found a dog tag on one dead enemy with the name of one of our Raiders, PFC Norton P. Retzch [sic], MIA 9 July at Enogai Inlet. He had always insisted his name was pronounced “Reetz,” that is why we opened fire immediately after the enemy said “Rites.”
This was Father Paul J. Redmond, quoted in James Gleason, Real Blood! Real Guts! US Marine Raiders and their Corpsmen in WWII.
His name—his odd name—saved a small patrol of soldiers, and his dog tags were recovered.
So what’s in a name?
How about “Hero”?
Without even knowing how important it would be someday, Norton, because of his connection to the men in his unit, shared how to say his last name. This fact, and their memory of the fact, saved their lives.
How miraculous.
“Lost”
Missing for 83 years, his location and identity unknown, but not his name.
How about “Loved”?
Norton’s family has loved the man that many of them never knew personally, and they have never forgotten him. The love of a family has helped make this homecoming possible.
Hero, from Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Lost, from Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Loved, from 1 John 4:10-12
“This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”
What’s in a name? A label?
Pfc Norton Retzsch was willing to serve others, willing to use his life to save others, to fight for something bigger than himself, to protect the lost and love more deeply than many of us can imagine. May his memory inspire us to serve and love like we have never done before.
Closing of Military Honors
I have one last name for us to consider today: Honored.
Phil 4:4-8 tells us, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Pfc Norton Retzsch deserves our time and attention today.
Today is a reminder that Semper Fi means something.
Being “always faithful” to our family and our commitments means something.
This was a man who chose to enlist during a time in history when our world was facing an enormous threat to our freedoms and peace around the world.
Norton joined with other young men, committing his life, risking his future, leaving his family and his wife of just months, to serve others. To serve us, to help protect the future we now live in and are able to prosper in.
Pfc Norton Retzsch, we thank you for your service and your sacrifice.