Grayson County, Texas -- The Grayson County Historical Society's speaker for May 14 is a highly decorated Navy Flag Officer Rear Admiral William Retz of Denison, Texas. His program is "Reflections from the River" in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
William Retz was born in Blauvelt, New York and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1963 as an NROTC Scholarship student with a Mechanical Engineering degree and was commissioned in June 1963.
Retz served for 33 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean Theaters where he was closely involved in anti-submarine warfare and in early tests of the Tomahawk cruise missile system.
As a young officer, Admiral Retz served with the river patrol forces in Vietnam, the "Brown Water Navy" in the rivers and jungles during the most intense portion known as the "Tet" Offensive. He was seriously wounded during that time and was eventually evacuated to the US for further hospitalization and to recover from his wounds before continuing his career.
When Retz was ashore he worked mostly in Washington D.C.
Rear Admiral Retz retired as decorated flag officer. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (3 gold stars), Bronze Star with combat “V”, Purple Heart, Meritorious service Medal with gold star, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation and various campaign and service awards.
Rear Admiral Retz and his wife Julia live in Denison.
The GCHS meets the second Tuesday of the month in the Judge R.C. Vaughan Community Room of the museum at Grayson County Frontier Village at Loy Lake. The Park is located midway between Sherman and Denison off Hwy. 75, Exit 67. For the ones interested in the history of Grayson County all are welcome to attend.
