George W. Casey, Sr.

George William Casey, Sr. (March 9, 1922 – July 7, 1970) was a United States Army Major General, who commanded the 1st Cavalry Division (United States), in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

His son, George William Casey, Jr. served as the 36th Chief of Staff of the United States Army from April 2007 to April 2011.

Biography
George William Casey was born on March 9, 1922. He attended Harvard College for a year before transferring to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1945. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in international relations from Georgetown University in 1958 and a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University in 1965. He went on to conduct postgraduate study at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.

He served at the end of World War II. He also served in combat during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Gen. George W. Casey, Sr. was rescued behind enemy lines during an operation in Vietnam in 1970. Frank James "Pete" Corodimas and 8 others was awarded the Silver Star for participating in the rescue mission.

On July 7, 1970, he was killed in a helicopter crash in South Vietnam when his UH-1H hit a mountain due to poor weather near Bao Luc as he was en route to Cam Ranh to visit wounded troops.

General Casey was survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He is one of three Major Generals killed in Vietnam. Major General Keith Lincoln Ware and Major General John A. B. Dillard.