Dietrich Maerz was born 1953 in Germany. He has graduate degrees in mechanical engineering as well as in business administration.

Since his early years, he has been interested in general history, especially the Great War and the Second World War and consequently picked up early the fascinating hobby of collecting and studying German orders and medals.

He has been living in the USA since 1999 with his wife Birgit and his three now college-level kids Jennifer Lara, Julia and Tristan.