Henry S. Maranz entered the military service in New Jersey. He served in the 84th Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a Technical Sergeant during World War II.

On June 6, 1944, during Mission Detroit on D-Day, a CG-4A Waco glider (serial number 43-27453, Chalk #52), carrying troops from the 80th Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion, was being towed toward Normandy by C-47 Skytrain #42-100803, piloted by 1st Lt. Jack Aaron Lawson. During the mission, the glider disconnected after the glider pilot observed that the C-47 had been struck by German flak or machine-gun fire and was no longer under control. The glider crash-landed near Quettehou, France, striking an electrical pole and a hedge, but all troops aboard survived with minor or no injuries and later rejoined their units. Tragically, Lt. Lawson and his crew perished in the crash of the C-47.

TSGT Maranz was declared Missing in Action and is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing, Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

C-47 #42-100803 crew:
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jack A Lawson, KS
Co Pilot: 2nd Lt. Donald W Handegaard, MN
Radio Operator: Sgt. Charles R Kittle, OH
Bombardier: T/Sgt. Henry S Maranz, NJ

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.fold3.com