SFC Kassik
I was born March 25, 1928 in Geneva, Nebraska and grew up in Milligan, Nebraska. I farmed from 1940 – 1949 and then worked road construction up until I was drafted into the Army in 1951.
I served in Japan twice, Vietnam twice, Germany and Korea. While on my first tour in Japan I met Nori Kobayashi, who worked for the 94th Engineer Maintenance Company. We dated and eventually married on May 12, 1953 in Yokohama, Japan. On March 8, 1954 we welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Mary Jo. In 1957, while in Hanau, Germany, I completed and received my G.E.D. During the summer of 1966 I was assigned to the 591st Engr. Co. stationed in Ft. Campbell, KY. In 1967 the unit went to Vietnam for it’s one year tour of duty, in which I was maintenance platoon leader and headed the motor pool area. I retired in September 1971 after 20 years of service.
After retirement I volunteered at the Center for Creative Living and McMahon-Tomlinson Nursing Center. I loved gardening and working with my hands. I loved helping my wife Nori’s widowed friends with carpentry, plumbing and whatever else they needed. My friends called me “Mr. Fix”.
I was a lifetime member of The Retired Enlisted Association, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 56, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 751, Korean War Veterans Chapter 319, Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 5263, American Legion Post 29 and The 591st Engineer Company Veterans Association.
I received numerous awards including: A Certificate of Appreciation for Retirement from General Westmoreland and President Richard Nixon, The Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Achievement in The Republic of Vietnam and The Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces.
R.I.P. Sarge, Jan. 26, 2013