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Contact Info
Home Town Johnsonburg, PA
Last Address Junction City, KS
Date of Passing Oct 27, 1989
Location of Interment Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (VA) - San Antonio, Texas
Command Sergeant Major Sisto M. Cicuzza is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his contribution to the United States Army as a courageous and successful Ranger for a period of 33 years. His career began in 1942 at the age of 15, while cruising in the North Atlantic with a Merchant Marine convoy during World War II. After World War II, CSM Cicuzza joined the Pennsylvania National Guard and was soon activated for the Korean War. While active he answered the call for Airborne Ranger volunteers as a sergeant and joined the 12th Airborne Ranger Company. Ranger Cicuzza stayed in the Ranger Company and “Led the Way” from the Ranger Company inception until they were deactivated in 1951. Following his tenure with the 12th Company Rangers, CSM Cicuzza volunteered for combat duty in Korea. While in Korea he turned down a battlefield commission only to reenlist months after getting out of service. After serving two tours in Korea, Ranger Cicuzza went on to serve three more tours in Germany, receiving the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in 1963. After Germany, Ranger Cicuzza volunteered for combat duty in Vietnam and served one tour with the 9th Infantry Division as a tanker and armored recon. While serving combat duty in Vietnam, CSM Cicuzza accumulated two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device for Heroism, and a Vietnamese Distinguished Service Cross. General Abrams personally decorated CSM Cicuzza with his second Silver Star. Command Sergeant Major Cicuzza retired from the Army in 1977 and passed away in 1989.
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign (1967-68)
From Month/Year
June / 1967
To Month/Year
January / 1968
Description This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the forces of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam swung back toward Saigon to conduct another clearing operation, MANHATTAN. This took peace in the Long Nguyen base area just north of the previously cleared "Iron Triangle."
South Vietnamese Armed Forces became more active and capable under U.S. advisors. During the year the Vietnamese Special Forces assumed responsibility for several Special Forces camps and for the CIDG companies manning them. In each case all of the U.S. advisors withdrew, leaving the Vietnamese in full command.
With an increased delegation of responsibility to them, the South Vietnamese conducted major operations during 1967, and, in spite of VC attempts to avoid battle, achieved a number of contacts.
Despite the success of U.S. and South Vietnamese Army operations, there were indications in the fall of 1967 of another enemy build-up, particularly in areas close to Laos and Cambodia. In late October, the VC struck again at the Special Forces Camp at Loc Ninh. Fortunately Vietnamese reinforcements saved the camp. At the same time, approximately 12,000 VC troops converged on a Special Forces camp at Dak To. This camp was located in northern Kontum Province, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam meet. In response to this potential threat, the U.S. and South Vietnam committed a total of sixteen battalions to the region to counter a disturbing enemy resurgence at Kontum and Loc Ninh.
