Norman Drewes

1919 - 1944

Norman Drewes

07/26/1919 - 06/15/1944

Norman Henry Drewes, 24, of Hamler, Ohio, was killed in action on June 15, 1944, in the World War II Battle of Saipan, North Marina Islands. Sgt. Drewes was a member of the U.S. Army's 708th Amphibious Tank Battalion and commanded an amphibious LTV tank.

His unidentified remains were buried on Saipan and later reburied in the Ft. William McKinley Cemetery in Manila, Philippines. In 2022, his remains were sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency {DPAA) laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii, for DNA analysis, comparison to several family-donated DNA samples and subsequent positive identification on September 13, 2024.

Norman was born on July 26, 1919, and was a member of Hope Lutheran Church. He was a Hamler High School 1937 graduate. After high school, Norm continued working on the family farm until answering our nation's call to arms, enlisting in the U.S. Army on April 11, 1942.

Norm was survived, at the time of his passing, by his parents, William and Katherine (Kestner) Drewes; brothers, George (Mildred) and Lawrence; and sisters, Emilie (George) Schwiebert, Helen (Richard) Enz and Bernita Drewes. He was preceded in death by infant brother, Louis.

Norm is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, May 23, 2025, at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, 1010 Westmoreland Ave, Napoleon, Ohio, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Hope Lutheran Church, 10016 State Route 18, Hamler, Ohio at 2:00 p.m., with full military honors.

The family suggests interested individuals and organizations consider paying their respects at the viewing, if possible, rather than the burial, due to easier access and more adequate parking.