Island Man Lost in Combat. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Cyr of Mercer Island received word last Wednesday that their son Ransom C., age 22, had died 28 May (1968), in Vietnam of wounds received on a photo mission. Ransom, an Army Specialist 4th class, had been home on leave in late April and early last month, after serving one year in Vietnam. He had requested an extension of combat duty and returned May 14. Born in Seattle, Ransom had lived most of his life on Mercer Island schools graduating from the High school in 1964. After two years at Central Washington State College, he enlisted in the Army for a three year tour of duty. He took Basic training at Fort Lewis, extended training at Fort Mommouth NJ, and became a combat photographer. Surviving in addition to his parents are a sister, Petty Officer Janice C. Cyr, USN, and three brothers: Daniel John of Seattle, and Michael J., 20, and Toby w., 18, of Mercer Island. (MI Reporter, Mercer Island, 6 Jun 1968)  

Photo caption Avs-s-2745-1/AAGA69 RVN Saigon
Sp4 Ransom Cyr pulls wounded buddy Sp5 Charles K Pollard, to safety.
Moments later Sp4 Cyr was killed by enemy gunfire.  Both men were members of 221st Signal Company (PICT) SEAPC (Southeast Asia Pictorial Center).  Photo by 101st Div IO

In Dec 2011, I was sent the information and pictures that are displayed below  They include Ransom Cyr’s Posthumous award of the Silver Star for Gallantry of which I was unaware.    The person who sent me this material is a fellow veteran, but not a member of the 221st Signal. Their wishes were as follows: “... Please no mention of myself on this material, ....these are his medals he earned through his acts and not mine...”  

The Silver Star award (see below) makes it clear that after Pollard was evacuated, Ransom chose to continue his photo mission with Vietnamese Rangers.  So it was not “moments later” that Cyr was KIA but in a separate action perhaps hours later.  This is supported by the fact that he was awarded the Military Merit Medal and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, both high awards given by the Republic of South Vietnam.     - Paul