Thomas E. Retzer, 30

Navy, Petty Officer 1st Class

Based: Dam Neck, Va.

Interior Communications Electrician, Navy SEAL

Supporting: Operation Enduring Freedom

Died: June 25, 2003

Gardez, Afghanistan

Married, 2 children

Gender: Male

Hometown: San Diego

High School: Mt. Whitney High (Visalia)

Burial: Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego

Retzer was the son of a sailor. He was a math major at San Diego State when he left to join the Navy. It was his wish to be buried beside fellow soldiers and also overlooking the ocean of his childhood.

Andrew F. Chris, 06/25/2003

Paul T. Nakamura, 06/19/2003

Four memories of Thomas E. Retzer

“

Tom and I were good friends at Great Lakes. We were there together for PreBUDS with Chief Mefferd. I was there when he bought that old rusty station wagon (DaGooseII). We used to jam out to the Steve Miller Band in Drill Hall 1000 for hrs. I get a big smile on my face when I hear "Big Ole Jet Airliner." I still have our skydiving video from when we went to Wisconsin to jump. He was a good friend to have. He always drove me to do more pushups, more situps. "Run faster Wolfford!" or "Learn some new cadence songs, these are getting old" is what he would tell me EVERYTIME we would run. I HATED RUNNING but Tom was fast and could run forever, so I knew if I could keep up with him, well, I would have a pretty good chance at BUDS. Some how I classed up before Tom but at the end of the day we would meet up and discuss what went on in training. Unfortunately my training was cut short due to an infection I got in my leg, but I kept in touch with Tom as much as I could when I got to my ship. It wasn't until 2005 that I learned of his death. I tell my kids what a Good Man he was and how his determination got him to live out his dream. To his kids and wife, I am sorry for your loss. Tom was one of a kind. I only got to spend about a year with him, but that one year has lasted many more with me. I miss my friend.

” — Brandon Wolfford BUDS Class 197, March 14, 2016 at 1:52 a.m.

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Thomas E. Retzer, 30

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Four memories of Thomas E. Retzer

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