Norman Nietzke

Biography

Norman William Neitzke (February 12, 1926 – December 8, 2008) was an American Army soldier and World War II veteran. He served as a Private First Class with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, joining the company as a replacement in 1945. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Neitzke enlisted in the U.S. Army before completing his high school graduation and served with the 84th Infantry Division before joining the 101st Airborne Division. He was assigned to Easy Company in February 1945, following the heavy losses suffered by the unit during the Battle of the Bulge. Neitzke served with Easy Company during the final months of the European campaign. He participated in the fighting in Germany and was among the soldiers who entered a concentration camp during the company's advance. He remained with Easy Company until the end of the war and later continued his military service in the Army Reserve. After returning to the United States, Neitzke married and raised a family while working in the insurance business. He eventually established and operated the Tri-County Insurance Agency in Milwaukee, where he continued working part-time later in life. He also remained active in the 84th Division's veterans' organization and attended Easy Company reunions. Neitzke contributed his recollections to Marcus Brotherton's 2009 book We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers. He also appeared as himself in the HBO documentary We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company, sharing his memories of his wartime service. Neitzke died on December 8, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of 82.