For many Vietnam veterans, the stories of their service are filled with a mix of trauma, bravery, and hope. Yet, the narrative of Frank E. Cius Jr., a Marine Corps veteran, stands out among them. His tale is one of enduring captivity, having spent over six years as a prisoner of war (POW) in Vietnam.
Frank E. Cius Jr. shared the harrowing details of his Vietnam experience during an event held in Buffalo, New York, to commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day. According to WIVB.com, Cius, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in the late 1960s, was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
“Most of the guys in my squadron who came over with me were from our local area,” Cius recounted to fellow veterans at Buffalo Naval Park.
Captured During a Mission
June 3, 1967, is a date forever etched in Cius’s memory. It marked the day his helicopter mission took an unexpected turn. “On the return mission in, we lost three choppers,” he explained. “Now the mission turns into a rescue.”
While flying over Laos, Cius’s CH46A helicopter was bombarded by enemy fire. “We took the heaviest fire I have ever encountered in my entire life,” Cius, who served as a door gunner, remembered.
As the helicopter spun out of control and crashed, Cius found himself in enemy territory, the village of the Viet Cong (VC). Despite sustaining injuries, he evaded capture for a day and a half before being apprehended on June 5, 1967. Subsequently, Cius was transported to the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” in North Vietnam, where he would spend 2,100 days until his release on March 5, 1973, during Operation Homecoming.
“It’s nice to share what I’ve been through with other people,” Cius expressed after his speech. After medically retiring from the Marine Corps as a staff sergeant in 1978, he was awarded the Prisoner of War and Bronze Star medals for his acts of valor.
Honoring Vietnam Veterans
The event at Buffalo Naval Park not only highlighted Cius’s story but also served as a platform for other Vietnam veterans to share their experiences. It was an occasion to remember the thousands who lost their lives during the war.
Terry McGuire, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and volunteer at the Buffalo Naval Park, noted, “What was special about that is how he could relate to the veterans of that era and honor them because we’ve had well over 58,000 that were killed in action.”
This day of remembrance also brings attention to the ongoing struggles of Vietnam veterans, including those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the many who have died by suicide post-war.
Courtney Speckman, director of programs and community engagement at Buffalo Naval Park, emphasized the importance of honoring this group of veterans. “An annual observance to remember them ensures that this day is marked even as Vietnam veterans are getting older and we’re losing more and more Vietnam veterans every day, every year,” she stated. “It’s important for them to know that we do recognize their sacrifice and their service.”
