The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 16 January 1955 to 8 July 1959, as Director of Military Training and Deputy Commandant of Cadets, United States Air Force Academy. During this period, the inspirational leadership of Colonel Cassiday was primarily responsible for the development of a four-year program of character and leadership training for Air Force Cadets. The exemplary initiative, farsightedness and organizational ability displayed by Colonel Cassiday in these responsible assignments reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Soldier’s Medal
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Soldier’s Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
87th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
79th Fighter GroupDivision:
12th Air ForceAction Date:
October 15, 1944
Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 221 (November 2, 1944The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving Pilot of a P-47 type aircraft with the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force. On 15 October 1944, Lieutenant Cassiday led a six plane formation of fighter bombers in an attack upon an enemy field headquarters near Cessna, Italy. Displaying great courage and superior leadership as he skillfully maneuvered through intense anti-aircraft fire upon the approach to the target, Lieutenant Cassiday’s perfect run over the objective enabled his P-47’s to score direct hits destroying the principal building in the area and damaging several other buildings. Then reforming his flight, Lieutenant Cassiday repeatedly strafed the target area destroying two gun positions and inflicting casualties upon personnel and damaging other vital military installations. on more than forty-five combat missions the outstanding proficiency and steadfast devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Cassiday have reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Secretary of the Air Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., from 6 May 1963 to 27 May 1966. In this assignment, the leadership, exemplary judgment, diligence and devotion to duty of Colonel Cassiday were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex management, organizational and personnel problems of major importance to the Headquarters, United States Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Cassiday and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
Joint U.S. Military Mission to TurkeyAction Date:
July 6, 1967 – July 10, 1979
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Air Force Section, Joint United States Military Mission for Aid to Turkey, from 6 July 1967 to 10 July 1969. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by General Cassiday resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the military posture of the Turkish Air Force. General Cassiday’s ability to resolve the many complex problems attendant to modernization of the Turkish Air Force and the excellent rapport maintained with members of the host country contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the Joint United States Military Mission for Aid to Turkey mission and furthered United States interests in the Middle East. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Cassiday and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
Air Force Reserve Officers Training CorpsAction Date:
August 25, 1969 – November 30, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Cassiday distinguished himself as Commandant, Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps, from 25 August 1969 to 30 November 1972. In this important assignment, the forceful leadership and outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Cassiday resulted not only in maintaining the integrity and viability of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps throughout a massive surge of anti-military sentiment and activity on campus, but also the initiating of many new concepts and programs possessing an impact on social problems at the national level. Of particular significance has been his contribution to the solution of problems concerning minority groups, status of women, drug abuse, and civil disobedience. The rapid expansion of the program in the high schools throughout the nation has also had a tremendous impact on American youth and on entire communities. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Cassiday culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
87th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
79th Fighter GroupDivision:
12th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Soldier’s Medal for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, during World War II.
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Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
87th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
79th Fighter GroupDivision:
12th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, during World War II.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
87th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
79th Fighter GroupDivision:
12th Air ForceAction Date:
October 31, 1944
Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 134 (June 16, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Benjamin Buckles Cassiday, Jr. (ASN: 0-26073), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force. On 31 October 1944, Major Cassiday led a six-plane flight of fighters armed with rockets in an attack upon enemy shipping in the Venloe-Udine canal system. Skillfully maneuvering over heavily defended territory, upon the approach to the target, Major Cassiday sighted a concentration of barges near Porto di San Margherite, Italy. Immediately pressing a vigorous attack, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Major Cassiday, concentrating his fire on a large flak barrage, scored direct hits destroying the vessel. Although fragments from shell bursts heavily damaged his aircraft and four others in the flight, Major Cassiday, quickly reforming his flight, returned to the target area and, in the face of continued strong resistance, led repeated strafing attacks, destroying three barges loaded with ammunition and damaging several others. En route to base, Major Cassiday strafed and destroyed an armored motor vessel on the Po River near Mestre. His gallant devotion to duty and outstanding proficiency in combat reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.