1937
Charles
2021
Charles P. Cassidy
August 31, 1937 — February 14, 2021
Charles Philip Cassidy, age 83, of Linden passed away on February 14, 2021. Charles was born on August 31, 1937, to the late Philip and Viola Cassidy of Needham, Massachusetts.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in July 1958 as an Aviation Cadet and served for 30 years. After receiving his pilot wings at Graham AB, FL (T-34/T-37) and Greenville AFB, MS (T-33) in 1959, he was assigned to the 3855th Fighter Training Wing at Perrin AFB, TX flying the F-86L. In 1960, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command flying over 5000 hours in B-47 and B-52 aircraft from 1960 to 1980. His overseas tours included Guam, Okinawa, and Thailand while completing 57 combat sorties missions in the B-52 over Vietnam in 1969, with numerous deployments overseas to Guam, Spain, Morocco, and England.
Other assignments included McConnell AFB, KS (B-47); Little Rock, AR (B-47); Loring AFB, ME (B-52G); Plattsburgh AFB NY (B-52G); Dyess AFB, TX (B-52D); Castle AFB, CA (B-52F); U-Tapao RTNB, Thailand (B-52D); Mathers AFB, CA; Kadena AB, Okinawa as Commander of the 376th Field Maintenance Squadron, from 1976 to 1979; Deputy Base Commander of the 22nd Combat Support Group, March AFB, California from 1979 to 1980; Alaskan Air Command. Elmendorf AFB Alaska as the Deputy Commander for Maintenance (DCM) as Director of Information Systems for Alaskan Air Command and Commander of the 5002nd Information Systems Squadron from 1980 to 1984; United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) at Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England, as the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing Director of Command and Control from 1984-1987. He returned to Elmendorf AFB, AK, and retired in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
His decorations included the Air Force Training Ribbon; Meritorious Service Medal with two oak clusters; Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; AF Commendation with three Oak Clusters; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Good Conduct Medal; Combat Readiness Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Humanitarian Service Medal; AF Longevity Service Ribbon with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal; AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters; AF Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; AF Outstanding Unit Award with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and two Oak Leaf Clusters with Valor Device; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He held a Master of Science Degree (MAS) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was rated by the FAA as a Commercial Pilot and an A&P Mechanic. After retiring, Charles taught for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the Elmendorf AFB Campus. In 1996, he moved to Linden, TN.
He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1991 in Eagle River, AK., Post 9785. In 1996, he transferred to VFW Post 4973 in Linden, TN where he held many positions in the Post, District and State, and National earning All-American and All-State honors. He was the VFW TN State Commander 2010-2011. He was a member of the Military Order for the Cootie (MOC) and in 2008-2009 served as the MOC Grand Commander for TN.
He was a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, The Order of Daedalians (Society of Military Pilots), MOAA Middle TN Chapter, and Past Chairman of the Perry County Veterans Association to name a few.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister Joan Gallagher (FL).
He is survived by his wife of 39 years Billie, and children William (Reagan) Cassidy Linden, Crystal (Mark) Larsen, and Chris (Brenda) McGee, 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and sister Linda (Bob) Marsh of Colorado Springs, CO.
Celebration of Life arrangements pending.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VFW National Home for Children Child Care and Early Education Center, 3573 S Waverly Rd, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Please indicate in the memo for Flooring.
Williams Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. You may send the family your sympathy or share your memories at williamsfh.com.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in July 1958 as an Aviation Cadet and served for 30 years. After receiving his pilot wings at Graham AB, FL (T-34/T-37) and Greenville AFB, MS (T-33) in 1959, he was assigned to the 3855th Fighter Training Wing at Perrin AFB, TX flying the F-86L. In 1960, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command flying over 5000 hours in B-47 and B-52 aircraft from 1960 to 1980. His overseas tours included Guam, Okinawa, and Thailand while completing 57 combat sorties missions in the B-52 over Vietnam in 1969, with numerous deployments overseas to Guam, Spain, Morocco, and England.
Other assignments included McConnell AFB, KS (B-47); Little Rock, AR (B-47); Loring AFB, ME (B-52G); Plattsburgh AFB NY (B-52G); Dyess AFB, TX (B-52D); Castle AFB, CA (B-52F); U-Tapao RTNB, Thailand (B-52D); Mathers AFB, CA; Kadena AB, Okinawa as Commander of the 376th Field Maintenance Squadron, from 1976 to 1979; Deputy Base Commander of the 22nd Combat Support Group, March AFB, California from 1979 to 1980; Alaskan Air Command. Elmendorf AFB Alaska as the Deputy Commander for Maintenance (DCM) as Director of Information Systems for Alaskan Air Command and Commander of the 5002nd Information Systems Squadron from 1980 to 1984; United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) at Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England, as the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing Director of Command and Control from 1984-1987. He returned to Elmendorf AFB, AK, and retired in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
His decorations included the Air Force Training Ribbon; Meritorious Service Medal with two oak clusters; Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; AF Commendation with three Oak Clusters; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Good Conduct Medal; Combat Readiness Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Humanitarian Service Medal; AF Longevity Service Ribbon with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal; AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters; AF Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; AF Outstanding Unit Award with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and two Oak Leaf Clusters with Valor Device; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He held a Master of Science Degree (MAS) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was rated by the FAA as a Commercial Pilot and an A&P Mechanic. After retiring, Charles taught for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the Elmendorf AFB Campus. In 1996, he moved to Linden, TN.
He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1991 in Eagle River, AK., Post 9785. In 1996, he transferred to VFW Post 4973 in Linden, TN where he held many positions in the Post, District and State, and National earning All-American and All-State honors. He was the VFW TN State Commander 2010-2011. He was a member of the Military Order for the Cootie (MOC) and in 2008-2009 served as the MOC Grand Commander for TN.
He was a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, The Order of Daedalians (Society of Military Pilots), MOAA Middle TN Chapter, and Past Chairman of the Perry County Veterans Association to name a few.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister Joan Gallagher (FL).
He is survived by his wife of 39 years Billie, and children William (Reagan) Cassidy Linden, Crystal (Mark) Larsen, and Chris (Brenda) McGee, 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and sister Linda (Bob) Marsh of Colorado Springs, CO.
Celebration of Life arrangements pending.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VFW National Home for Children Child Care and Early Education Center, 3573 S Waverly Rd, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Please indicate in the memo for Flooring.
Williams Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. You may send the family your sympathy or share your memories at williamsfh.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles P. Cassidy, please visit our flower store.
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