In the midst of harrowing wartime chaos, stories of valor often emerge, yet some remain underrecognized. One such tale is that of Col. Francis “Frank” Cuddy, whose daring actions during the Vietnam War have inspired a fellow veteran to seek posthumous recognition for him with the Medal of Honor.
David Zartarian, although not intimately acquainted with Cuddy, has made it his mission over the past five years to advocate for this recognition. Both Zartarian and Cuddy share a common alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, and both served in Vietnam. Their paths converged on June 8, 1969, during Cuddy’s heroic rescue mission, which already earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Zartarian, an Army veteran, argues that Cuddy’s bravery deserves the highest military honor, especially as recent Medal of Honor awards have been given to veterans of earlier conflicts, such as the Korean War. “I see where they’re giving awards to people 55 years later and Frank Cuddy is more than deserving,” Zartarian told Military.com. His attempts to contact the president and vice president about this were thwarted by system issues, yet he remains undeterred.
Just days before the rescue mission that would define his legacy, Cuddy, a Marine Corps captain, was awarded the Silver Star. During his career, he flew a staggering 988 combat missions. Despite his passing in 2008 due to cancer, Zartarian insists Cuddy should be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. This accolade is rare, awarded to only 3,533 soldiers since the Civil War.
“I can be a determined guy, but you get to the point where every setback feels like a punch in the gut,” Zartarian expressed. His efforts include collecting documentation and speaking with Cuddy’s fellow soldiers. However, the lack of eyewitness accounts and documentation from nearly six decades ago pose significant challenges.
Despite reaching out to Senator Jack Reed’s office for assistance, Zartarian encountered further obstacles. As John F. Kiernan from Reed’s office explained, the absence of original chain of command endorsements is a major hurdle. “In accordance with applicable award procedures, both a living recommender and at least one living intermediate authority are required,” Kiernan noted in an email.
Genesis of a Noble Quest
Zartarian’s endeavor began after reading a 2009 article by Marine Corps veteran Jeff Grosscup on Historynet.com. The story recounted a mission involving Cuddy, where only one Marine, 1st Lt. Ronald McLean, was killed. McLean’s connection to actor Jimmy Stewart further highlighted the mission.
In June 1969, Zartarian was stationed at a mortuary in Da Nang, witnessing the arrival of bodies, including those of Lt. Sharon Lane and Lt. Col. Don Bartley. His brief stint there left a lasting impression. “That was a weird, weird situation,” he recalls. Zartarian identifies Cuddy, an accomplished URI athlete and Marine, as a deserving candidate for the Medal of Honor.
A Daring Rescue Under Fire
As the American Beauty mission commenced on June 6, 1969, McLean and his platoon were quickly pinned down by enemy forces. Cuddy, already recognized for his bravery, received a call about the besieged platoon while returning from a mission in Laos. Despite orders to regroup, Cuddy returned to the hill, shielding the soldiers and sustaining injuries as bullets riddled his helicopter.
Zartarian vividly describes Cuddy’s helicopter, “The chopper’s exterior looked like a block of Swiss cheese.” Cuddy’s actions enabled the rescue of the platoon and recovery of McLean’s body. Cuddy later stated, “In the Marine Corps, it’s ingrained that you don’t leave dead and wounded.” His defiance and courage earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, yet the Medal of Honor remains elusive.
