Thomas F. Cycon
Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army

In World War II, U.S. Army Technical Sergeant Thomas F. Cycon served with the 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division, in the European Theater of Operations.

Based on the After Action Report for the 331st Infantry Regiment on 12 April 1945, and the losses that day, it is believed that Technical Sergeant Thomas F. Cycon was probably serving with the 3rd Battalion.

At 0100 on 12 April 1945, orders were received that 3rd Battalion, less one company, would revert to Regimental Control. This company was to stay attached to the Cavalry and assist them in their mission. This mission was assigned to K Company. The remainder of the Battalion was to move to Derenburg * as soon as possible the next morning. Major Sellers and Lieutenant Ashmore went forward and contacted Lt. Col. Neilson at the Regimental Command Post. He gave the Battalion the mission of cleaning out an enemy pocket in the woods south of Derenburg. At first it was estimated this pocket consisted of approximately 20 enemy, and one platoon from I Company ran into a very strong enemy strongpoint consisting of over 100 Germans and more enemy artillery and mortar fire than had been encountered since the 331st Infantry Regiment crossed the Rhine River. When the one platoon was not able to advance, the remainder of I Company was sent down to clean out the pocket. Very stubborn enemy resistance was finally overcome and the woods cleared. 3rd Battalion suffered high casualties. Lt. Col. Neilson went to the Battalion Command Post and ordered Major Sellers to move the Battalion to the east to protect the 2nd Battalion’s fast advance. At 1700 the Battalion moved out of Derenburg to Harsleben with the mission of blocking all roads coming up from the south in the vicinity of Harsleben and Halberstadt.

On 12 April 1945, TSGT Cycon was initially listed as Missing in Action in the After Action Report. That status was later changed to Killed in Action with the date of death 12 April 1945.

* Derenburg is a town in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated north of the Harz, some 9 km east of Wernigerode, and 10 km west of Halberstadt.

Medals and Awards

Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

Burial

Technical Sergeant Thomas F. Cycon is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands in Plot N, Row 9, Grave 13.

Interesting Note

In the After Action Report for the 331st Infantry Regiment for the month of April 1945, under the heading “Personnel of 331st Infantry Regiment, who were awarded the Silver Star Medal, for gallantry in action, during the month of April 1945.” this item appears:

Staff Sergeant Neville L. Brand, 20602562, Infantry, 331st Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action and disregard for personal safety displayed on 1 March 1945, in Germany, which reflects the highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from Illinois.

Following World War II, in 1950 Neville Brand began a career that made him a famous television and movie actor. In a 1966 interview, when he was asked about the heroic actions that earned him the Silver Star, he said, "I must have flipped my lid."