S/SGT Robert E. "Bob" Cassady
biography
Bob, from Blackstone, IL, served in the Army with Company B, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Division. He was killed in action on November 29th, 1944, in Southern France; he was 20 years old.
His award for the Silver Star Medal reads: "For gallantry in action on 29 November 1944 in France. Company B, in which SGT Cassady was a squad leader, was advancing abreast of another rifle company in an attack against stubbornly defended enemy positions. Courageously moving beyond his men, he pressed forward to scout the enemy-infested area. Entering a thicket, he located a well-concealed German machine gun and observed the six-man crew preparing to deliver flanking fire on the unsuspecting friendly troops. SGT Cassady immediately opened fore pn the machine gun nest and killed the gunner with an accurate shot. The other five soldiers surrendered to SGT Cassady. By his daring initiative, he prevented the enemy from inflicting heavy casualties on the assault company and dispelled the serious threat to the entire battalion effort"
SGT Cassady was killed in action later that day.
decorations
Pins: 143rd Infantry Regiment Unit Crest
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Medals-Left Breast, Top Row (L-R): Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal
Middle Row (L-R): Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row (L-R): European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Service Ribbon
Right Breast (L-R): Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation
Patches: 36th Infantry Division Patch
