FORT CARSON, Colo. — For his service in the Vietnam War, Gary A. Cyr earned the Bronze Star Medal, a rare distinction reserved for the finest Soldiers.
Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division gathered May 1, 2024 at the division’s headquarters building to pay honor to the bravery of one of its own. Cyr was awarded the Bronze Star Medal half a century after the deeds that earned him the decoration.
“He proved, without question, that the United States Army noncommissioned officers are tactical and technical experts who we can trust to accomplish the most difficult missions under any conditions,” said Maj. Gen. David S. Doyle, the commanding general of the division and Fort Carson. “We talk about noncommissioned officers as the backbone of the Army, and Gary exemplified this.”
Cyr served as a Special Operations pathfinder in the 10th Pathfinder Detachment in Vietnam from 1970-1972. The detachment deactivated early in 1972, and the Bronze Star meant for Cyr was never awarded. In 2022 an act of Congress assured Cyr his due.
According to the act, on February 23, 1971, the Army counted on then-Cpl. Cyr to coordinate the landings of military helicopters, which were crucial to the fight in the Vietnam War. Cyr was supporting Operation Dak Soo Ri 71–1, a joint operation with Korean partners.
Cyr was responsible for the lives of over 1,000 foreign troops. Cyr coordinated twelve landing sites and providing information to pilots, working mostly in the dark. He accomplished the mission without any casualties or even any damaged cargo.
Today, Cyr’s friends and family traveled from across the nation and turned out in force for the ceremony. Also present were his neighbors from Ault, Colorado.
“I’m a little bit overwhelmed at the response of the people that came down here today from Ault, Colorado and the surrounding areas,” said Cyr. “I’m just shocked at the effort that was put forth by you all to come down.”
The large group of friends, neighbors and family received a tour of the 4th Infantry Division headquarters with Cyr and a brief on the division’s modern-day prowess as the marquee multi-domain operational division of the Army.
“I have a loyalty to the 4th Infantry Division,” said Cyr. "I earned my combat infantryman’s badge with Alpha Company, first of the 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, March 1971.”
Cyr passed down a tradition of service to his son, Gary Cyr Jr., who served his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“We’re both Army guys; and my father was an Army guy,” said the Bronze Star honoree.
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