Hugh Joseph Gaffey
Encyclopedia
Hugh Joseph Gaffey was Chief of Staff for General George Patton's Third Army during World War II
.
, he graduated from Worcester Academy
in 1916 and later attended Officers Training School at Fort Niagara
, New York State, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve on 15 August 1917. Assigned to the 312th Field Artillery at Fort Meade, Maryland
, he went to Europe in August 1918 and served in France
and Germany
before returning to the United States
in August 1919. During the next two decades he served at various posts in the United States and served with the 15th and 18th Field Artillery and the 7th Cavalry Brigade. Assigned to the I Armored Corps
in July 1940, he served with them until July 1942 when he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. Appointed Brigadier General 5 August 1942, he was sent to the European Theater in November; and, in April 1944, he was designated Chief of Staff for General Patton's 3d Army fighting in France. He then assumed command of the 4th Armored Division in December. Major General Gaffey was killed in a B-25 Mitchell
crash at Godman Field
, Kentucky
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Born in Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, he graduated from Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy
Worcester Academy is an independent coeducational preparatory school spread over in Worcester, Massachusetts in the United States. The school is divided into a middle school, serving approximately 150 students in grades six to eight, and an upper school, serving approximately 500 students in...
in 1916 and later attended Officers Training School at Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. It is located near Youngstown, New York, on the eastern bank of the Niagara River at its mouth, on Lake Ontario.-Origin:...
, New York State, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve on 15 August 1917. Assigned to the 312th Field Artillery at Fort Meade, Maryland
Fort Meade, Maryland
Fort Meade is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,882 at the 2000 census. It is the home to the National Security Agency, which is located on the US Army post Fort George G...
, he went to Europe in August 1918 and served in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
before returning to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in August 1919. During the next two decades he served at various posts in the United States and served with the 15th and 18th Field Artillery and the 7th Cavalry Brigade. Assigned to the I Armored Corps
U.S. I Armored Corps
__FORCETOC__I Armored Corps was a World War II corps of the United States Army. The army made its debut in Operation Torch in November 1942 under the command of Major-General George S. Patton. In July 1943 it was redesignated as the U.S. Seventh Army....
in July 1940, he served with them until July 1942 when he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. Appointed Brigadier General 5 August 1942, he was sent to the European Theater in November; and, in April 1944, he was designated Chief of Staff for General Patton's 3d Army fighting in France. He then assumed command of the 4th Armored Division in December. Major General Gaffey was killed in a B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
crash at Godman Field
Godman Army Airfield
Godman Army Airfield is a military airport located on the Fort Knox United States Army post in Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. It has four runways and is used entirely by the United States Army Aviation Branch.-History:...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.