PFC. Robert Marion Cassady

Private First Class Robert Marion Cassady was born on April 13, 1919, in Lafayette, Indiana.

Robert graduated from West Lafayette High School.

He is a member of the First Christian Church, the Freemasons, the Merou Groto, the Eagles and the Fairfield Athletic Association.

His World War II military service record, dated October 14, 1940, describes him as 5'10”, 6lbs, with blue eyes and brown hair.

In 1940, Robert was working as a mechanic in a Buick garage.

On March 27, 1941, in Tippecanoe County, Robert married his sweetheart, Colleen Ruth Kane.

At the time of his marriage, he was working at Peerless Wire Goods Company and Colleen at Whitaker's Beauty Salon.

A son, Richard Charles Cassady, was born to Robert and Colleen in 1943.

Robert enlisted in the army on December 19, 1942, in Indianapolis, Indiana, with the 83rd Calvary Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Armored Division, and went overseas in July 1944.

service number 35575356

Attached is an article that appeared in the local press in early January 1945.

It reads.

“Mrs. Robert M. Cassady, 117 North Chauncey Avenue, has learned that her husband, Private First Class Robert M. Cassady, now in Belgium, was one of 400 fighters in “Hogan's Task Force” (.....).

They were considered lost for six days, but outwitted the Germans and managed to escape on foot on Christmas night, traveling 10 miles through enemy lines, to safety.

This must have reassured Colleen and her son Richard, now aged 1.

Sadly, two months later, the same press announced Robert's death.

Kia in Germany, February 27, 1945 ... almost 26 years...

Robert would never see his beloved wife and baby boy Richard again.

They would never hug again, and Robert would never see his son take his first steps.

This story touches us deeply.

He is buried in Battle Ground Cemetery, Battle Ground, Tippecanoe, Indiana: Block H, Row 9, Grave 7.