IC1 (SEAL) Thomas E. Retzer was born March 10, 1973 in Lancaster, California. He attended San Diego State University before enlisting in the United States Navy on May 10, 1993. Thomas was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom when he was mortally wounded after his convoy made contact with enemy forces outside Gardez, Afghanistan on June 25, 2003. During his service, Thomas was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, both with Combat V Devices; Purple Heart Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; and numerous other campaign medals and awards.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Courtney; his sons, Leif and Owen; his father, James; his mother, Leona; his brothers, James, Justin, and Michael; his father- and mother-in-law, Thomas and Sandra Wasley; his sister-in-law, Lindsey Wasley; best friends, Jerry and Teresa Shick; and a host of family, friends, and teammates. Tom was a consummate friend, husband, and father. He was the guy who would stop to change the tire for a stranger in the rain, make a 30-second call from a world away just to tell his wife he loved her, and never miss a chance to read his boys a bedtime story. In his career, Tom was a driven, dedicated, and professional warrior. At home, he was a kindhearted, easy-going guy with an infectious belly laugh who enjoyed a good workout, a good beer, and ugly Hawaiian shirts. Tom had an enduring love for his family, his teammates, and his country, with a profound dedication to protecting the ideals of the American spirit.