Duane H. Cassidy

1933 - 2016

Duane H. Cassidy

Chapel Hill

Duane H. Cassidy was more than a U.S. Air Force pilot. He was a four-star general, a husband of 61 years, a leader of men and women, a father, a friend and an adventurer. Although a short battle with cancer would claim his life on February 8, 2016, he was an extraordinary 82-year-old, but then he was extraordinary at every age. Cassidy lived life fully and positivity was his trademark.

Cassidy led by example. He was a decorated veteran, and wore every set of wings possible. His life was one of manufactured good fortune and determination. He made the most of every opportunity, one of which led him to the USAF by chance with a group of friends soon after high school. From there he would fly all over the world, landing planes on all seven continents.

Born in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania in 1933, Cassidy was the son of a first grade teacher and a banker. His mother used to say that she could never punish him because he entertained himself in the corner by pretending to fly planes, or drive cars or trains. He met his wife, Rosalie in high school, and they married in 1954. The couple's adventure together continued through 61 years of marriage and more than 32 moves.

General Cassidy served his country for more than 35 years in the United States Air Force. Upon completion of aviation cadet training in 1954, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and continued on to navigator training. His initial operational assignments in the Air Force were flying B-25s, SA-16s, and C-121s with the Air Weather Service, Air Rescue Service and Military Air Transport Service.

Cassidy then entered pilot training in December 1958, after which he flew B-47 bombers for the Strategic Air Command and served with the 810th Strategic Aerospace Division, whose mission included B-52 bomber and Minuteman missile operations. In 1968, he was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam, serving first with 7th Air Force before being transferred to the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Directorate of Public Affairs as an air briefer to the Saigon press corps. His family would return home to Coraopolis, PA during this time.

In 1969, Cassidy began serving in various roles in Military Airlift Command (MAC), including executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for operations at MAC headquarters, and later as executive aide and pilot for the MAC Commander. In 1972 he assumed command of the 8th Military Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. He entered Air War College in August 1974 and then returned to MAC headquarters as the assistant chief of staff.

In 1976, Cassidy was assigned first as vice commander, then commander, of the 63rd Military Airlift Wing at Norton Air Force Base, California. He then returned to MAC headquarters, where he served as deputy chief of staff for operations. Cassidy commanded the 21st Air Force at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey from 1983-84, and then transferred to U.S. Air Force headquarters at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, where he served as deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel.

At the culmination of a distinguished military career, General Cassidy served as the Commander in Chief of the Air Force's Military Airlift Command from 1985-89 and stood up and served as the first Commander in Chief of the United States Transportation Command from 1987-89. During his tenure, Gen. Cassidy was integral in the design and building of the aircraft that now serves as the backbone of the Air Mobility Command, the C-17. He was known as a statesman, a great communicator and a gentleman.

A command pilot and senior navigator with more than 8,000 flying hours in air mobility and bomber aircraft, his military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal. He also wore the Parachutist Badge.

Following his retirement from the USAF, Gen. Cassidy joined CSX Corporation in 1989 as vice president in the executive department in Richmond. From there Cassidy moved to CSX Transportation (CSXT), the company's rail unit, where he lead the sales and marketing organization from 1992. In 1996, Cassidy was assigned as CSX senior vice president and chairman of the CSX Commercial Board where he was responsible for the evaluation and development and implementation of integrated service initiatives for CSX's various transportation business units.

Cassidy served as advisor, consultant and on the boards of numerous transportation and aircraft organizations following his retirement from the USAF. President George H.W. Bush appointed General Cassidy to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and he co-chaired a similar commission for the Governor of the State of Florida. He was on the Board of Advisors of Hybrid Enterprises, until his death, working on a new hybrid airship being developed in conjunction with Lockheed Martin for the purposes of transporting cargo anywhere in the world.

Cassidy's commitment to the USAF and CSX, and other business and transportation venues is surpassed only by his commitment to family. When General Cassidy was inducted into the Airlifters Hall of Fame in 2006, he said when asked the secret of his success, "Find a girl like Rosalie Cassidy, and keep her by your side the rest of your life." General Cassidy is survived by his wife Rosalie, daughters Diane and Susan, sons Michael and Patrick, and their families, including eight grandchildren, their spouses and one great-granddaughter. He also leaves behind his sister, Dolores Sasway, in-laws Ed & Beth Mosley, Loretta Hoffman, Virginia Greenberger, and many much-loved nieces and nephews. Countless friends and those he led through his decades of service mourn him as well. 

Funeral services will be held on a future date at Arlington National Cemetery, with details released when available. For more on the life and legacy of General Cassidy, please visit the A/TA (Airlift Tanker Association) Hall of Fame section of the Association's website at www.atalink.org. If you are interested in attending the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, subscribe to the A/TA website that will announce the details of the service as they are finalized. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to either A/TA Scholarship Program or the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (Specialops.org)