Robert Marion Cassady
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 was 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'', with blue eyes and brown hair.
On March 27, 1941, in Tippecanoe County, Robert married his sweetheart, Colleen Ruth Kane. 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 Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Armored Division, and went overseas in July 1944.
His wife learned that he was one of the 400 fighters of 'Hogan's Task Force'. They had been 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. Sadly, two months later, the same press announced Robert's death. Killed in Germany, February 27, 1945… almost 26 years. Robert would never see his beloved wife and little boy Richard again. He is buried in Battle Ground Cemetery, Battle Ground, Tippecanoe, Indiana — Block H, Row 9, Grave 7.
