| Patrick F. Cassidy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname | Hopalong |
| Born | March 22, 1915 |
| Died | January 9, 1990 (aged 74) |
| Place of birth | Pendleton, Oregon |
| Place of death | San Antonio, Texas |
| Place of burial | Fort Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941-1975 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Service number | 0-351262 |
| Unit | See below |
| Commands held | See below |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | See below |
Patrick "Hopalong" Francis Cassidy (22 March 1915 in Pendleton, Oregon - 9 January 1990 in San Antonio, Texas) was an American Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army during World War II. He was awarded multiple decorations during his military career. He retired as a Lieutenant General.
Units[]
- ?-?: Commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
- ?-?: Executive officer, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
- July 1954-June 1955: Commanded the 511th Airborne Regiment
- 1955-1956: Chief of Staff, 11th Infantry Division
- 1962-1964: Asst. Division Commander, 101st Airborne Division
- 1964-1965: Chief of Staff of VII Corps under Lieutenant General Louis W. Truman
- April 1966-June 1968: Commanded the 8th Infantry Division headquartered at Bad Kreuznach, West Germany
- 1968-1969: Chief of Personnel Operations, Office of the Chief of Personnel Operations: Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel
- 1969-1970: Commanded I Corps (Group) in South Korea.
- 1970-1971: Deputy Commander of the Eighth Army in South Korea
- 1971-1973: Commanded the Fifth Army at Fort Sam Houston, TX
Awards & Decorations[]
- Belgian Fourragere
- Dutch Orange Lanyard
- Army Staff Identification Badge
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Master Parachutist Badge
- Distinguished Service Cross on 1 July 1944 as Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star Medal
- Bronze Star Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Purple Heart
- Army Commendation Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with arrowhead and 4 Service stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp
- National Defense Service Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation with Oak leaf cluster
- Croix de Guerre (1939-1945) with palm
- Croix de Guerre 1940
- Overseas Service Bar
- Korean Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
DSC citation[]
His unit is mentioned as the 502nd Infantry Regiment.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Patrick F. Cassidy (ASN: 0-351262), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 11 June 1944, in France. Lieutenant Colonel Cassidy's battalion was committed to the assault of Carentan. To accomplish the mission it was necessary to cross a narrow bridge. When the battalion was held up at the bridge, Lieutenant Colonel Cassidy came up to the bridge and despite intense machine gun and mortar fire directed a movement across. He then led his battalion in an assault up a narrow causeway, continually exposing himself to heavy enemy fire. When his artillery liaison officer became a casualty, he, through his command radio net, directed artillery fire upon a German machine gun nest that was holding up the advance. Lieutenant Colonel Cassidy's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.