Hugh E. Casey
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Air Force
Hugh E. Casey of Chisholm, Minnesota, was inducted into the Army Air Corps on June 30, 1943. He was a staff sergeant and a tail gunner on B-17 Flying Fortress bombers based in Chelveston, England.
In the air offensive over Europe, he was wounded in his right leg and right knee when his plane was shot down over Leipzig. He parachuted out and was captured by the Hitler Youth. He was transported to a hospital in Berlin where his wounds were treated and he was interrogated in Frankfurt au Main.
The German interrogation officer -- who had lived in Duluth and traveled to the Iron Range -- knew about Casey's personal life and family back home.
He was liberated by Patton''s 3rd Army and transferred to Paris. He arrived in the Continental United States on April 21, 1945.
He received the:
Purple Heart,
Good Conduct Medal,
American Campaign Service Medal,
European-African-Middle East Campaign Service Medal with one bronze battle star World War II Victory Medal.
He was discharged on April 27, 1946.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 52.
