In September 1944, the 88th Infantry Division used the 349th Infantry Regiment as a rapid column to spearhead the drive north to Bologna. The 1st Battalion of the 349th cleared out the town of Belvedere, Italy southwest of Bologna, after a fierce firefight, and by October 2nd, controlled a ridge line that overlooked the German positions. It was in this vicinity that Private Cassady was killed in action on October 10, 1944. He was born in 10-8-1922 in the Santa Rosa County community of Allentown to G. L. and Ora M. Cassady. He enlisted in the US Army and was assigned to the 349th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 88th Infantry Division. He was "one of the first fathers to enlist from Allentown" and left behind his wife Wynell and his young son Henry Gerald Cassady.
He arrived in Italy in April 1944 and his unit was thrust into the campaign to take control of Northern Italy. After his death he was buried in a military cemetery in Italy while his wife and family was notified. After the war his wife Wynelle Stokes Cassady requested his body be returned to Milton on November 19, 1948 and he was buried in the Calvary Baptist Cemetery with military honors.
Postscript: The son he never met went on to serve in the US Army with the 101st Airborne Division and following his service he became a police officer with the Pensacola Police Department. He retired after a long, distinguished career of 34 years plus seven more with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. He was the first officer with the PPD to receive the "Medal of Valor." Henry Oliver's grandson Jeremy followed his father into law enforcement with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. His granddaughter Dana Cassady also served with the 101st Airborne Division in the Gulf War and currently serves in the Army Reserves. It is a great honor for the Santa Rosa community to have three generations of Cassady's that have served their country so well!
Pensacola News Journal 11-19-1944
Grave of Private Henry Cassady, Calvary Baptist Church, Santa Rosa County, FL
Pensacola News Journal Article of 2-5-1945