World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Anton 'Tony' Cichy
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Minnesota
Honored By
A Grateful Citizen
DRAFTED INTO THE 194TH TANK BATTALION OUT OF MINNESOTA ON MARCH 14 1941. SURVIVED THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH, WAS A JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. HE WAS 1 OF ONLY 8 AMERICANS TO SURVIVE THE SINKING OF THE JAPANESE 'HELL SHIP' ARISAN MARU WHICH WAS SUNK WHILE TRANSPORTING OVER 1800 ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR TO A NEW LOCATION. HE ESCAPED, WITH 4 OTHERS, BY SEA AND LAND OVER 600 MILES TO SAFETY IN CHINA. RECEIVED HIS PURPLE HEART MEDAL FOR GENERAL GEORGE C MARSHALL. HE WAS DISCHARGED ON JULY 25, 1945.