Remembering Norton

May 9, 1918 – July 9, 1943

MISSING 83 YEARS

We never forgot.

Born in Cincinnati, Norton Vernon “Norty” Retzsch was the son of Albert and Mattie Retzsch.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 3, 1941, and joined Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion. On July 9, 1943, during the Battle of Enogai in the Solomon Islands, he was reported missing.

He was declared dead in 1944 and his remains non-recoverable in 1949.

In 2019, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) renewed the search for unaccounted personnel. Through forensic science and mitochondrial DNA analysis, Norty was identified on April 1, 2025.

Norton came home on April 8 and was laid to rest with Military Honors on April 13, 2026.

HONORING HIM

Memorial Service and Honors | Full Livestream (58:59)

Norton Comes Home (17:30)

A short film of Norton’s repatriation, transfer, military honors, and interment, generously produced by Peacekeeper Production in Arizona. Photos and videos credits to Peacekeeper Production, Chris Hester, and other gracious guests.

Norton’s Story “In Color” (4:02)

A memorial film generously created by PeaceKeeper Production and presented at the family’s post-service reception.

MORE OF THE STORY

Documenting Norton’s life and honoring him today.

Words of Comfort

[4.30.26] Memorial service and graveside messages presented by Pastor Roger Blumenthal, shared here with permission.

Moments from the Military Honors

[4.30.26] Moments captured from Norton’s Military Honors at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Marana.

Military Escort from Hawaii to Tucson, AZ

[4.29.26] Norton was escorted by Staff Sergeant Price from Hawaii, through Atlanta, to Tucson, AZ on April 8.

What happened to Margaret?

[3.29.26] What happened to Norton’s wife Margaret? She didn’t forget him, either.

Legacy of a Library Page

[3.29.26] The legacy of a library page in the 1930s and 40s at Cincinnati’s most historic building.

KARE 11 News Story

[3.27.26] On March 12, 2026, KARE 11’s Jennifer Hoff (KARE 11) reported on the story of identifying Norton through mitochondrial DNA analysis.

X-183 Oct. 19, 2020 Disinterment

[3.27.26] Research find: Photos from the DPAA disinterment ceremony, Honolulu, Hawaii, Oct. 19, 2020, which included one set of Norton’s remains.

X-182 Jan. 30, 2019 DPAA Honorable Carry

[3.27.26] Reseach find: Photos of the Honorable Carry ceremony when unidentified remains, including Norton’s (X-182), were returned to American soil on January 30, 2019.

GALLERY

Photos from Norton’s life, family, and military service.