Patrick Francis 'Hopalong' Cassidy
Lieutenant General, U.S. Army
World War II

Patrick Francis Cassidy was born on 22 March 1915.

Patrick F. 'Hopalong' Cassidy's Army career first became well known while, as a Lieutenant Colonel, he was serving as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, on D-Day.

In action against enemy forces in France on 11 June 1944, Lt. Col. 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, Lt. Col. 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.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

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.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)

Post-World War II Service

At the end of World War II, the deployed combat historians assigned to the History Section, U.S. Army European Theater of Operations (ETO) in Paris, prepared a special study titled: Battalion and Small Unit Study Number 9 - Cassidy's Battalion. The original is on file in the Historical Manuscripts Collection (HMC) under file number 8-3.1 BA 9, along with the title. As the introduction (show below) clearly states, the author's study was compiled using oral interview techniques invented during World War II by S.L.A. Marshall.

"An examination of the record and accomplishment of Cassidy's Battalion, weighed critically against all others in the American Army, warrants the estimate that on D-Day, in point of fighting effectiveness and tactical scope, this was probably the outstanding Battalion of the Normandy operation. Yet Cassidy personally felt that his show had gone off none too well and he was chagrined that the day's score had not been better. He repeatedly expressed this view to the HO and was almost apologetic at times while the actions were being reconstructed. He was given the Distinguished Service Cross for D-Day and was certain that he had not won it."

After World War II, Cassidy's commands and assignments included:

• As a Colonel, he Commanded the 511th Airborne Regiment from July 1954 - June 1955.

• As a Brigadier General, he served as Chief of Staff of VII Corps under Lieutenant General Louis W. Truman in 1964-65.

• As a Major General, he Commanded the 8th Infantry Division headquartered at Bad Kreuznach, West Germany, from April 1966 to June 1968.

• As a Lieutenant General, he Commanded I Corps (Group) in South Korea.

• As a Lieutenant General, he was Deputy Commander of the Eighth Army in South Korea

• As a Lieutenant General, he Commanded the Fifth Army at Fort Sam Houston, TX

Death and Burial

Lieutenant General Patrick F. Cassidy died on 5 January 1990. He is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.