George W. Casey, Sr.

George William Casey, Sr.

George William Casey at West Point
Born March 9, 1922(1922-03-09)
Massachusetts
Died July 7, 1970(1970-07-07) (aged 48)
South Vietnam
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Major General
Commands held 1st Cavalry Division (United States)
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Awards Silver Star (3)
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Purple Heart (2)
Air Medal
Relations General George W. Casey, Jr. (son)

George William Casey, Sr. (March 9, 1922 – July 7, 1970) was a United States Army Major General, who commanded the 1st Cavalry Division (United States), in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

His son, George William Casey, Jr. served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from April 2007 to April 2011.

Biography

George William Casey was born on March 9, 1922. He attended Harvard College for a year before transferring to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1945.[1] He later earned a Master of Arts degree in international relations from Georgetown University in 1958 and a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University in 1965. He went on to conduct postgraduate study at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.

He served at the end of World War II. He also served in combat during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

On July 7, 1970, he was killed in a helicopter crash in South Vietnam when his UH-1H hit a mountain near Bao Luc as he was enroute to Cam Ranh to visit wounded troops.

General Casey was survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was the highest ranking officer to die in Vietnam.[2][3]

Notes

  1. ^ Bartelt, Eric S. (April 26, 2007). "Gen. Casey to make West Point Center of Excellence for Ethics, Values". U.S. Army News. http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/04/26/2866-gen-casey-to-make-west-point-center-of-excellence-for-ethics-values/. Retrieved November 8, 2009. 
  2. ^ "George William Casey". Find-A-Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10379593. Retrieved November 8, 2009. 
  3. ^ "George William Casey, Major General, United States Army". ArlingtonCemetery.net. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/gwcasey.htm. Retrieved November 8, 2009. 

Gen. George W. Casey, Sr. was also rescued behind enemy lines during an operation in Vietnam just months prior to his helicopter crash. Frank James "Pete" Corodimas (as well as others) was awarded the silver star for participating in the rescue mission.

http://whittier-daily-news.vlex.com/vid/corodimas-vietnam-war-hero-dies-69608794

External links