Name: Thomas Gantz Cassady Country: United States Rank: Captain Services: French Air Service U.S. Air Service Units: Spa157, Spa163 (FAS) 28th Aero, 103rd Aero (USAS) Victories: 9 Date Of Birth: January 5, 1896 Place of Birth: Near Spencer, Owen County, Indiana Date Of Death: July 9, 1972 Place of Death: Lake Forest, Illinois A student at the University of Chicago, Cassady joined the United States Ambulance Service during Christmas vacation in 1916. Sailing from New York, he arrived at the front on February 3, 1917. After serving in the Champagne, Chemin des Dames and Argonne sectors, he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. In July of 1917, he transferred to the French Air Service receiving his flight training at Avord, Tours, Pau and Plessis-Belleville. Breveted on 6 October 1917, Sergeant Cassady was assigned to Spa157 on December 26, 1917. In February of 1918, he joined the United States Air Service and after serving with the 103rd Pursuit Squadron, he was attached to Spa163 on May 14, 1918. The highest scoring ace in this escadrille, Cassady scored 5 victories as a SPAD pilot. On September 8, 1918, he was reassigned to the 28th Pursuit Squadron where he scored 4 more victories flying the SPAD S.XIII. Cassady was promoted to Captain in March of 1919. As an officer in the OSS during World War II, he worked closely with the French underground until detained by the Germans in 1942. Released in 1944, he was sent to Algiers where he resumed undercover assignments in preparation for the Normandy invasion. With the liberation of Paris, Cassady returned to that city to serve as chief intelligence officer. Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) "For extraordinary heroism in action near Fismes, May 28, 1918 and near Epieds, France, June 5, 1918. On May 28, Lt. Cassady, single-handed, attacked an LVG German plane which crashed near Fismes. On June 5, as patrol leader of five Spads, while being attacked by twelve German Fokkers, he brought down one of the enemy planes near Epieds and by his dash and courage, broke the enemy formation." DSC citation Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Oak Leaf Cluster "For the following act of heroism: on August 15, 1918, near Saint-Marie, while acting as protection for a Salmson, he was attacked by seven Fokkers, two of which he brought down and enabled the Salmson to accomplish its mission and return safely." DSC Oak Leaf Cluster citation Légion d'Honneur "He came to serve France at a time when there was no military obligation or compulsion. Object of a brilliant citation and gravely wounded in the Medical Section. He has since passed to aviation where he is indispensible in turn by the greatness of his character, his skill as a pilot, and his absolute disregard for danger. Officially credited with five enemy plances." Légion d'Honneur citation
Full Text Citations CASSADY, THOMAS G. (First Award) First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Pilot, 28th Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, Air Service, A.E.F. Date of Action: May 29 & June 5, 1918 Citation - The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas G. Cassady, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Fismes, May 29, 1918, and near Epieds, France, June 5, 1918. On May 29, 1918, Lieutenant Cassady, single-handed, attacked an Lvg. German plane which crashed near Fismes. On June 5, 1918, as patrol leader of five spades, while being attacked by 12 German Fokkers, he brought down one of the enemy planes near Epieds and by his dash and courage broke the enemy formation. General Orders No. No. 138, W.D., 1918 Birth: 1/5/1896 - Freedom, IN Home Town: Spencer, IN Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross w/OLC (WWI) CASSADY, THOMAS G. (Second Award) First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army Pilot, 28th Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, Air Service, A.E.F. Date of Action: August 15, 1918 Citation - The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas G. Cassady, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action on August 15, 1918, near St. Maire. While in action as protection for a Salmson, First Lieutenant Cassady was attacked by seven Fokkers, two of which he brought down and enabled the Salmson to accomplish its mission and return safely. General Orders No. No. 138, W.D., 1918 Birth: 1/5/1896 - Freedom, IN Home Town: Spencer, IN Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross (WWI) http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_DSC/citatons/01_wwi_dsc/dsc_05wwi_AirService.html Cassady, Thomas G. Papers, 1918-1974 (bulk 1942). .25 cubic ft. (1 box) Acc. #5729 Cassady served with the French Flying Service as a pilot with the 28th Aero Pursuit Squadron during World War I. He returned to France in 1942 as a naval attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Vichy, France, during World War II. However, Cassady reported to the Office of Strategic Services as an undercover agent whose job was to help the French Underground find escape routes for downed Allied pilots, which took him into occupied France on four occasions. After the Nazis occupied Vichy in November 1942, Cassady was taken prisoner and held in a hotel on account of his diplomatic status. He was returned to the U.S. in February 1944 as part of a prisoner exchange and resumed his undercover work that same month in Algiers and later in Paris when France was liberated. Cassady worked as an investor before and after World War II. Collection contains a history of the 28th Aero Squadron (1918); correspondence, mostly written by Cassady in 1942 while he was in Vichy, France, before Nazi occupation and sent to his wife Elizabeth (1942, 1945, 1959, 1974); photographs; newspaper clippings; and miscellaneous other materials. Some of the material is in French. http://ahc.uwyo.edu/documents/use_archives/guides/transportation nocolumnshighres.pdf
