Col. Steve J. Cibik
Retired Marine Corps Col. Steve John Cibik, 87, died Saturday, April 21, 2007, in his home, with all of his family surrounding him. He was born Sept. 14, 1919, in Leechburg, and was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Mary (Mago) Cibik; sisters, Julia Cibik Podmilsak and Mary Cibik Hepler; and a brother, Michael Cibik. Col. Cibik enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 5, 1938, enduring boot camp in Parris Island, S.C. He rose through the ranks from private to full colonel, and with 31 years of dedicated service to his country and the Corps, retired on July 1, 1969. Col. Cibik served in the South Pacific during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He received the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Award, along with numerous other medals and commendations including a Presidential Unit Citation. His Silver Star was received for action as the leader of a Reinforced Rifle Platoon, attached to the Second Battalion, Third Marine Division, for the assault, capture, and defense of a Japanese-held ridge at Piva Forks, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Following 19 days of cutting though thick jungles on Nov. 20 and 21, 1943, he and his men fought 35 hours of fierce combat to hold this strategic high ground until his force was relieved. This action came to be known as the Battle of Cibik's Ridge, recorded in World War II history books, and the book, "A Ribbon and a Star." He served aboard the original aircraft carrier Yorktown and commanded the Marine detachment aboard the second carrier Yorktown. He earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland, going through school at night and finishing his last year in the Marine Corps'"Boot Strap" Program. Following his military retirement, Steve went to work at State Farm Insurance as a claim specialist. Working out of the Norfolk office, he took what was to be a temporary assignment on the Eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland and turned it into a permanent weekly trip, getting to know and assist the people of the shore who fondly referred to him as "Cap'n Steve," a high honor from "the locals." He retired from State Farm in September 1984, after 15 years of service. Col. Cibik was a member of the Military Officers Association, the Marine Corps Association, the Third Marine Division Association and the Semper Fidelis Society, where he was a campaign member. He was a life member of the Leechburg Historical Society. Left to honor his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Mijalich) Cibik; his daughter, Lin Cibik Mace and husband Ben; and his son, Stephen John Cibik and wife Carolyn. "The Colonel" was proud to be a grandfather and great-grandfather and was known to them as "Pa." They are his grandson, BJ Mace, wife Jen, and children Hannah and Tristan, granddaughter, Jennifer Mace Briggs, husband Geoff, and children Caitlin Williams and Connor Briggs and granddaughter, Sarah Cibik, and grandson Nathaniel Cibik. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Josephine Forrest and Ann Cibik; nieces, Cyndee Cibik and Frances Hepler Oglietti and husband Ron; nephew, Michael Cibik; cousin, Katherine Mago Nowatkoski and husband BJ; and numerous other cousins. Col. Cibik was a part of a rare and extremely tough group of Marines who fought through three wars. Despite this rich military history, he rarely spoke of his experiences and left it to historians to document his valor. He dedicated himself to his country and the Corps he loved, and on the occasions when his family felt they were just part of his command, he would show the soft part of his heart where he held all of his love for them. Family and friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at HOLLOMON-BROWN BAYSIDE CHAPEL in Virginia Beach, Va. Col. Cibik requested to rest with his fellow Marines at Quantico National Cemetery. He will be buried in his beloved uniform and receive full military honors.
(Obituary from The Valley News Dispatch, Tarentum, Pa.)
Retired Marine Corps Col. Steve John Cibik, 87, died Saturday, April 21, 2007, in his home, with all of his family surrounding him. He was born Sept. 14, 1919, in Leechburg, and was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Mary (Mago) Cibik; sisters, Julia Cibik Podmilsak and Mary Cibik Hepler; and a brother, Michael Cibik. Col. Cibik enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 5, 1938, enduring boot camp in Parris Island, S.C. He rose through the ranks from private to full colonel, and with 31 years of dedicated service to his country and the Corps, retired on July 1, 1969. Col. Cibik served in the South Pacific during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He received the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Award, along with numerous other medals and commendations including a Presidential Unit Citation. His Silver Star was received for action as the leader of a Reinforced Rifle Platoon, attached to the Second Battalion, Third Marine Division, for the assault, capture, and defense of a Japanese-held ridge at Piva Forks, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Following 19 days of cutting though thick jungles on Nov. 20 and 21, 1943, he and his men fought 35 hours of fierce combat to hold this strategic high ground until his force was relieved. This action came to be known as the Battle of Cibik's Ridge, recorded in World War II history books, and the book, "A Ribbon and a Star." He served aboard the original aircraft carrier Yorktown and commanded the Marine detachment aboard the second carrier Yorktown. He earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland, going through school at night and finishing his last year in the Marine Corps'"Boot Strap" Program. Following his military retirement, Steve went to work at State Farm Insurance as a claim specialist. Working out of the Norfolk office, he took what was to be a temporary assignment on the Eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland and turned it into a permanent weekly trip, getting to know and assist the people of the shore who fondly referred to him as "Cap'n Steve," a high honor from "the locals." He retired from State Farm in September 1984, after 15 years of service. Col. Cibik was a member of the Military Officers Association, the Marine Corps Association, the Third Marine Division Association and the Semper Fidelis Society, where he was a campaign member. He was a life member of the Leechburg Historical Society. Left to honor his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Mijalich) Cibik; his daughter, Lin Cibik Mace and husband Ben; and his son, Stephen John Cibik and wife Carolyn. "The Colonel" was proud to be a grandfather and great-grandfather and was known to them as "Pa." They are his grandson, BJ Mace, wife Jen, and children Hannah and Tristan, granddaughter, Jennifer Mace Briggs, husband Geoff, and children Caitlin Williams and Connor Briggs and granddaughter, Sarah Cibik, and grandson Nathaniel Cibik. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Josephine Forrest and Ann Cibik; nieces, Cyndee Cibik and Frances Hepler Oglietti and husband Ron; nephew, Michael Cibik; cousin, Katherine Mago Nowatkoski and husband BJ; and numerous other cousins. Col. Cibik was a part of a rare and extremely tough group of Marines who fought through three wars. Despite this rich military history, he rarely spoke of his experiences and left it to historians to document his valor. He dedicated himself to his country and the Corps he loved, and on the occasions when his family felt they were just part of his command, he would show the soft part of his heart where he held all of his love for them. Family and friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at HOLLOMON-BROWN BAYSIDE CHAPEL in Virginia Beach, Va. Col. Cibik requested to rest with his fellow Marines at Quantico National Cemetery. He will be buried in his beloved uniform and receive full military honors.
(Obituary from The Valley News Dispatch, Tarentum, Pa.)
Col. Steve J. Cibik
Retired Marine Corps Col. Steve John Cibik, 87, died Saturday, April 21, 2007, in his home, with all of his family surrounding him. He was born Sept. 14, 1919, in Leechburg, and was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Mary (Mago) Cibik; sisters, Julia Cibik Podmilsak and Mary Cibik Hepler; and a brother, Michael Cibik. Col. Cibik enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 5, 1938, enduring boot camp in Parris Island, S.C. He rose through the ranks from private to full colonel, and with 31 years of dedicated service to his country and the Corps, retired on July 1, 1969. Col. Cibik served in the South Pacific during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He received the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Award, along with numerous other medals and commendations including a Presidential Unit Citation. His Silver Star was received for action as the leader of a Reinforced Rifle Platoon, attached to the Second Battalion, Third Marine Division, for the assault, capture, and defense of a Japanese-held ridge at Piva Forks, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Following 19 days of cutting though thick jungles on Nov. 20 and 21, 1943, he and his men fought 35 hours of fierce combat to hold this strategic high ground until his force was relieved. This action came to be known as the Battle of Cibik's Ridge, recorded in World War II history books, and the book, "A Ribbon and a Star." He served aboard the original aircraft carrier Yorktown and commanded the Marine detachment aboard the second carrier Yorktown. He earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland, going through school at night and finishing his last year in the Marine Corps'"Boot Strap" Program. Following his military retirement, Steve went to work at State Farm Insurance as a claim specialist. Working out of the Norfolk office, he took what was to be a temporary assignment on the Eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland and turned it into a permanent weekly trip, getting to know and assist the people of the shore who fondly referred to him as "Cap'n Steve," a high honor from "the locals." He retired from State Farm in September 1984, after 15 years of service. Col. Cibik was a member of the Military Officers Association, the Marine Corps Association, the Third Marine Division Association and the Semper Fidelis Society, where he was a campaign member. He was a life member of the Leechburg Historical Society. Left to honor his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Mijalich) Cibik; his daughter, Lin Cibik Mace and husband Ben; and his son, Stephen John Cibik and wife Carolyn. "The Colonel" was proud to be a grandfather and great-grandfather and was known to them as "Pa." They are his grandson, BJ Mace, wife Jen, and children Hannah and Tristan, granddaughter, Jennifer Mace Briggs, husband Geoff, and children Caitlin Williams and Connor Briggs and granddaughter, Sarah Cibik, and grandson Nathaniel Cibik. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Josephine Forrest and Ann Cibik; nieces, Cyndee Cibik and Frances Hepler Oglietti and husband Ron; nephew, Michael Cibik; cousin, Katherine Mago Nowatkoski and husband BJ; and numerous other cousins. Col. Cibik was a part of a rare and extremely tough group of Marines who fought through three wars. Despite this rich military history, he rarely spoke of his experiences and left it to historians to document his valor. He dedicated himself to his country and the Corps he loved, and on the occasions when his family felt they were just part of his command, he would show the soft part of his heart where he held all of his love for them. Family and friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at HOLLOMON-BROWN BAYSIDE CHAPEL in Virginia Beach, Va. Col. Cibik requested to rest with his fellow Marines at Quantico National Cemetery. He will be buried in his beloved uniform and receive full military honors.
(Obituary from The Valley News Dispatch, Tarentum, Pa.)
Retired Marine Corps Col. Steve John Cibik, 87, died Saturday, April 21, 2007, in his home, with all of his family surrounding him. He was born Sept. 14, 1919, in Leechburg, and was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Mary (Mago) Cibik; sisters, Julia Cibik Podmilsak and Mary Cibik Hepler; and a brother, Michael Cibik. Col. Cibik enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 5, 1938, enduring boot camp in Parris Island, S.C. He rose through the ranks from private to full colonel, and with 31 years of dedicated service to his country and the Corps, retired on July 1, 1969. Col. Cibik served in the South Pacific during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He received the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Award, along with numerous other medals and commendations including a Presidential Unit Citation. His Silver Star was received for action as the leader of a Reinforced Rifle Platoon, attached to the Second Battalion, Third Marine Division, for the assault, capture, and defense of a Japanese-held ridge at Piva Forks, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Following 19 days of cutting though thick jungles on Nov. 20 and 21, 1943, he and his men fought 35 hours of fierce combat to hold this strategic high ground until his force was relieved. This action came to be known as the Battle of Cibik's Ridge, recorded in World War II history books, and the book, "A Ribbon and a Star." He served aboard the original aircraft carrier Yorktown and commanded the Marine detachment aboard the second carrier Yorktown. He earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland, going through school at night and finishing his last year in the Marine Corps'"Boot Strap" Program. Following his military retirement, Steve went to work at State Farm Insurance as a claim specialist. Working out of the Norfolk office, he took what was to be a temporary assignment on the Eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland and turned it into a permanent weekly trip, getting to know and assist the people of the shore who fondly referred to him as "Cap'n Steve," a high honor from "the locals." He retired from State Farm in September 1984, after 15 years of service. Col. Cibik was a member of the Military Officers Association, the Marine Corps Association, the Third Marine Division Association and the Semper Fidelis Society, where he was a campaign member. He was a life member of the Leechburg Historical Society. Left to honor his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Mijalich) Cibik; his daughter, Lin Cibik Mace and husband Ben; and his son, Stephen John Cibik and wife Carolyn. "The Colonel" was proud to be a grandfather and great-grandfather and was known to them as "Pa." They are his grandson, BJ Mace, wife Jen, and children Hannah and Tristan, granddaughter, Jennifer Mace Briggs, husband Geoff, and children Caitlin Williams and Connor Briggs and granddaughter, Sarah Cibik, and grandson Nathaniel Cibik. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Josephine Forrest and Ann Cibik; nieces, Cyndee Cibik and Frances Hepler Oglietti and husband Ron; nephew, Michael Cibik; cousin, Katherine Mago Nowatkoski and husband BJ; and numerous other cousins. Col. Cibik was a part of a rare and extremely tough group of Marines who fought through three wars. Despite this rich military history, he rarely spoke of his experiences and left it to historians to document his valor. He dedicated himself to his country and the Corps he loved, and on the occasions when his family felt they were just part of his command, he would show the soft part of his heart where he held all of his love for them. Family and friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at HOLLOMON-BROWN BAYSIDE CHAPEL in Virginia Beach, Va. Col. Cibik requested to rest with his fellow Marines at Quantico National Cemetery. He will be buried in his beloved uniform and receive full military honors.
(Obituary from The Valley News Dispatch, Tarentum, Pa.)
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