PFC George V. Retzler

courtesy of E. Wiltshire

PFC George V. Retzler was born 14 Feb 1924 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of the 5 children born to Anton and Mary (Iglodan) Retzler. Both parents were natives of Austria-Hungary. His father was a leather worker and reported a 1939 income of $1100. At that time George was working as a machinist and he reported a 1939 income of $870. At that time the family was living at 1736 Bodine Street and apparently owned the home valued at $1100.

George was drafted in March 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to England and assigned to B Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit for the planned amphibious landing on the coast of France and took place in those landings on 6 Jun 1944. He survived that and continued to fight with unit until killed in action near Saint-Lo, France on 13 Jul 1944.

PFC Retzler rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.

George's brother, Anthony Jacob Retzler, was also drafted and served from 1943-1946. Their sister, Catherine  M. Retzler, was a nursing cadet graduating 1 Mar 1944.