BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE S. CASSADY

George S. Cassady was born in Gainesville, Texas in 1907. He graduated from St. Mary's School in 1924 and attended the University of Oklahoma for two years. In 1931 he became an aviation cadet and completed Army Air Force flying training schools, basic and advanced in June 1932, graduating from Randolph Field Texas in the first class to attend the then "West Point of the Air".

Lieutenant Cassady returned to civilian life but retained a commission in the Officer's Reserve Corps from 1932 until 1942. During this period he served as a pilot with United Airlines and in 1933 joined the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Air Commerce. He held positions as chief air carrier inspector, West Coast Region, Santa Monica, Calif., and is chief, Air Carrier Operations Branch, CAA, Washington. In 1938 he also attended the meteorology course of the Boeing School of Aeronautics, Oakland, Calif.

In 1942, he returned to active duty as a major and was sent to the China-Burma-India theater of operations. Lieutenant Colonel Cassady became commander of the 1337th Army Air Corps Unit at Sookerating, India, in 1944. The l337th operated 60 C-46s in the famed "Hump Operation" over the Himalays from India to China.

After World War II Colonel Cassady commanded the 1103rd AAFBU at Morrison Field, Fla., from September 1947 until July 1948. He commanded the 52lst Air Transport Group, Brookley Air Force Base, Ala., from July 1948 to December 1948, and the 1601st Air Transport Group at Brookley from December 1948 until October 1949.

In December 1949 Colonel Cassady became commander of Lajes Field, Azores, where he remained until March 1952. Colonel Cassady returned to the United States and entered the National War College in August 1952. It was during his attendance at the War College that he was promoted to brigadier general.

Following his attendance at the National War College, General Cassady became deputy commander of the Continental Division, MATS, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, from January 1953 until June 1955. In June 1955 he became deputy commander of the Pacific Division, MATS, at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

General Cassady became deputy commander of the Atlantic Division, MATS McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., in August 1957. Since then the Atlantic Division was redesignated eastern Transport Air Force, MATS, July 1, 1958. On Feb. 1, 1959 he reported to Washington, D.C. to become deputy director, Bureau of Air Traffic Management, Federal Aviation Agency.

Personalized Material

Interests

Is an avid golfer and on good days shoots in the eighties; likes to hunt deer and big game.

Excellent public speaker on flying and air transportation.

Former member, American Legion and Airline Pilots Association; active member AFA, Q. B. (frat); National Defense Transportation Association.

Opinions, tastes and evaluations

Prefers foods common to the Southwest - barbecue, steaks, Mexican food, etc.

Likes warmer climates and informal dress.

Has intense interest in aviation progress and was qualified in jet aircraft.

Likes to keep up to date on flying new aircraft, and although it is impossible to accomplish, he would like to be fully qualified in every Air Force aircraft.

Has interest in air transport and international affairs. Appreciates art; popular and semi-classical music. Likes to travel and has seen most of the world, outside of the Soviet Union.

Likes to reminisce with his friends about the "old days". Learned to fly on a Curtiss OX5 Canuck (World War I training plane) in June 1928 prior to entering Army Flying School.

Believes teamwork is key to success in all operations, and that his achievements have resulted from the loyalty, industry and the fine spirit of cooperation he has enjoyed from those personnel who have served with him.

Likes people of all nations and feels that if you're friendly, you will make friends wherever you go. Has friends from all walks of life throughout the world.

Likes to work with his officers and airmen to devise new technical methods and procedures that will improve the efficiency of his organization.

Believes that manned aircraft are here to stay and that missiles, while they are essential as a supplemental element of our Air Force arsenal, will never replace the manned aircraft or "space craft" entirely.

Believes in future of military air transport and feels that modern aircraft are of even greater importance in missile age; that sufficient jet transports are a vitally needed requirement in our defense establishment; is convinced that Air Force overseas missile and air bases rely on, and will be even more dependent on fast, efficient resupply.

Colleagues who evaluate him state they have never associated with anyone who was so keenly interested in and enthusiastic about flying.

Decorations and Medals

Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
SP Breast Order of Yun Hui with ribbon (Nationalist China)
Portuguese Medal of Merit
Air Force Reserve Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with three oak leaf clusters