WWII Marine's Remains Identified After 83 Years

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The remains of Norton Retzsch, a U.S. Marine who went missing during combat in the Pacific in 1943, have been identified after more than 80 years. Retzsch's identity was confirmed through DNA testing after a relative submitted a sample, leading to a match that finally brought answers to his family.

Why it matters

Retzsch's story highlights the ongoing efforts to identify and honor those who went missing in action during World War II. The ability to use modern DNA technology to provide closure for families decades later is an important milestone, even as many others remain unaccounted for.

The details

Retzsch, an Ohio native, was 25 years old when he disappeared on July 9, 1943, during the Battle of Enogai on New Georgia. His remains were buried multiple times over the years, but his identity remained unknown until his great-niece, Kim Opitz, submitted a DNA sample in the early 2000s. That led to a match with Retzsch's dental records, finally confirming his identity.

• Retzsch became a Marine and fought Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands in 1943.
• Retzsch went missing on July 9, 1943, during the Battle of Enogai on New Georgia.
• Opitz submitted her DNA sample in the early 2000s, leading to the identification in 2022.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Retzsch's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, alongside others still unaccounted for from World War II. A rosette has now been placed next to his name, indicating he has been identified.