Walter A. Cichon was born on August 28, 1946. He attended Howell High School until 11th grade.

Before entering the service, Cichon was the front man for the band the Motifs, a group with growing popularity around the New Jersey shore area best known for their hit “Molly.” A young Bruce Springsteen was greatly influenced by Cichon’s talent and performances. Springsteen’s song, “The Wall,” was written in Cichon’s honor.

He entered the US Army from Farmingdale, NJ where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSGT).

Walter Cichon is listed as missing in action as of March 30, 1968. 

Synopsis (from the POW Network) as to the circumstances behind being listed as MIA:
Walter A. Cichon was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. On March 30, 1968, SP4 Cichon was serving as a rifleman in a rifle company in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. His company came under enemy fire while attempting to seize a hill about 15 miles southwest of the city of Dak To. Cichon received a head wound, was examined, and left for dead as his unit was forced to withdraw under enemy pressure.

A later body-recovery team located and extracted the bodies of the dead, but was unable to locate the body of Walter Cichon.

On April 20, 1968, two NVA ralliers stated that they heard from friends that their battalion had captured an American with a head wound on or about March 26, 1968. The ralliers gave a detailed description of the POW which closely matched Cichon. The ralliers state that the prisoner was taken to a hospital in the vicinity of the South Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia border area.

During the period he was maintained prisoner of war, Walter Cichon was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Sources: POW Network, Howell High School Guidance Office, and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024