John P. Casey, Jr.

Colonel (later Brigadier General) John P. Casey, Jr. graduated from Fort Knox High School in 1949, spent one year at Georgetown College and a year at Georgia Military Academy before enlisting in the United States Army in 1951. He completed the Infantry School Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in 1952. His early service includes duty as a Tactical Officer in the Infantry School Officer Candidate Regiment and as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Heavy Mortar (4.2) Detachment Commander in the 278th Battalion Combat Team, Keflavik, Iceland. | He returned to the United States in 1954 and was assigned as an instructor in the Weapons Detachment, The Infantry School. In 1957 he attended the Officers Advanced Course at Fort Benning. From 1958 to 1961, Colonel Casey attended the Army Aviation School Fixed and Rotary Wing Programs, served as an instructor in the Department of Tactics and as an Assistant Secretary of the General Staff at Fort Rucker. Additionally, he attended Mississippi Southern University under the Bootstrap Program and achieved his Bachelor of Science degree. | Following the tour at Fort Rucker, he spent from 1961 to 1964 with the 24th Infantry Division in Augsburg, Germany. During his assignment with the Division, he served as a General Support Platoon Leader in an Aviation Company, Rifle Company Commander, Brigade S-4, an Assistant Chief of Staff in the Command Section, and S-3 of the Aviation Battalion. | After completing the Command and General Staff College in 1965, he was assigned to the Pentagon for one year in the Doctrine and Systems Directorate, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development. During the year 1966 to 1967, Colonel Casey served in Vietnam as the Commander of the 128th Assault Helicopter Company (Tomahawks) and as Staff Officer in the G-1 Section of U.S. Army, Vietnam. | When he returned to the United States in the Summer of 1967, he again joined the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development as the Deputy Executive Officer. In 1969, General Casey graduated from the National War College and also achieved his Masters Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. In July 1969, he was assigned to the 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as Commander, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 325th Infantry. Colonel Casey became the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 82d Airborne Division, in July 0f 1979. He departed the 82d Airborne Division for Vietnam in October 1971 where he was assigned Deputy Brigade Commander (Operations), 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He was wounded in action on 10 April 1972, evacuated immediately to Walter Reed and remained as a patient until July 1973. Following his recovery, Casey assumed the position of Division Chief, Aviation Operations Division, Army Aviation Directorate, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development.