Sergeant Robert J Chicca, USMC (R)
Bob Chicca was one of 83 crewmen aboard the USS Pueblo when it was captured by the North Koreans in January 1968. One crew member was killed in the capture and Bob was severely wounded. The crew spent just under a year in North Korea enduring deplorable conditions and unspeakable brutality.
Bob was awarded The Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Commendation, all with combat V’s, and the POW medal along with many other awards for his leadership and resistance.
Bob, along with all of the surviving crew, still regret that the ship is in the hands of North Korea. It was never decommissioned and is the only US ship being held by a hostile nation.
Bob enjoys sharing the story of the USS Pueblo, especially to students who have never heard of the ship because the story of its capture has been removed from the history books.
Bob hales from Washington D.C. and now lives in Bonita, Ca with his wife, Vanessa. He is an avid collector and enjoys reading and refurbishing antique lamps which he sells on his eBay store. You can find Bob’s website at bc-lamps.com
Schedule
New Marines sworn in at 1:45. Formal ceremony starts at 2 pm.
- Present the Colors (Combat Logistics Battalion 453, Buckley Space Force Base)
- Going Home (Bagpipes, MSG Jim DeGeorge, Colorado National Guard, State Bagpiper)
- National Anthem
- Post the Colors
- Invocation
- Welcome
- Keynote Speech
- Render the Honors Rifle Salute
- Taps (Dave Astemborski)
- Amazing Grace (Ken Giese)
- Dove Release
- Benediction
- Retire the Colors
- Marine Corps Hymn
- Announcements