Godfrey A. Rettig – Captain, United States Navy

From a contemporary press report:

G.A. Rettig, 66, a retired Navy captain and Vietnam War veteran who piloted  anti-submarine aircraft, died of cancer April 11, 2001, at his home in Fairfax, Virginia.

Captain Rettig, who was born in Chicago, began his 24-year military career in 1954 when he entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program. He was a flight training officer and a pilot of Navy Super Connies and other aircraft before serving in the Vietnam War.

In the war, he was assistant combat information center and electronic warfare officer aboard the carrier Bon Homme Richard and a pilot of anti-submarine aircraft.

He later served on the Joint Continental Defense Systems Integration Planning Staff in Arlington, then was stationed as a commanding officer in patrol wings in California and Hawaii before retiring from active military duty in 1979.

His military decorations included a Meritorious Service Medal.

He attended the University of Illinois, the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and the U.S. Naval Senior War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

He was a member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Fairfax.

Survivors include his wife, Paula Robb Rettig of Fairfax; five children, Cathleen Silveira of Miami, Christina Llaneras of Miami Springs, Guy Rettig of Cashiers, N.C., James Rettig of Fairfax and Jeffrey Rettig of Brugelette, Belgium; 15 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.


RETTIG, GODFREY A. (Capt. U.S.N. Ret.)

 On Wednesday, April 11, 2001. GODFREY A. RETTIG of Fairfax, Virginia. Beloved husband of Paula Robb Rettig; father of Guy M. Rettig, Cathleen Silveira, Christina Llaneras, James K. Rettig, and Jeffrey J. Rettig; brother of Rudolph Rettig. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Friends may call at the MURPHY’S FALLS CHURCH FUNERAL HOME, 1102 West Broad St., (Rt. 7) where the family will be present from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 6 and where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 7, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA. Interment Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Read our general and most popular articles

Leave a Comment