ALABAMA AVIATION HALL OF FAME
THOMAS CYRUS CASADAY
Thomas C. Casaday, Jr., was born in Birmingham, Alabama. His education included schools in Alabama and Tennessee. He entered Auburn, class of 1941.Tom enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 as an Air Service Cadet. He became a pilot and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Army Air Corps. His military flying career came to an abrupt end on a cold, dark night in April 1943 at Pocatello, Idaho. Lt. Casaday sat at the controls of a B-24, poised for take-off on a practice bombing mission. Of the many thousand take-offs that Tom Casaday had made or was to make in his lifetime, this one was destined to be the most eventful and fateful. The B-24 immediately ahead of Lt. Casaday's lost all electrical power on take-off roll and aborted halfway down the runway. Unknown to the control tower or to Tom, this 4-engine monster sat in darkness, in the middle of the runway. Having received take-off clearance, Lt. Casaday advanced all throttles for take-off. Just as his lumbering bird was about to become airborne, there loomed up out of the darkness the immobilized aircraft. The crash was inevitable, the consequences tragic.By some miracle, Tom survived but only after months in a , body cast, innumerable trips to the operating room, and much painful surgery
In January 1944, at El Paso, Texas, Tom married Olive Elmore from Clanton, Alabama. In 1946 he was medically discharged from the Air Corps to return to his native state. Tom Casaday had not lost his love of aviation. He soon qualified as an FAA rated pilot. This led to his joining the Civil Air Patrol in 1948. He became a very active and involved member. He had found his destiny and his progress was phenomenal. He rapidly progressed to Squadron Commander, Unit Training Officer and Wing Executive Officer. Soon he became Commander of the Alabama Wing which was designated the nation's finest. Next he became Southeast Regional Vice-Commander and then Regional Commander. During his tour as Regional Commander, the Southeast Region was designated the nation's number one region.Tom was then elected Vice-Chairman of the National Board and served in that capacity until becoming Civil Air Patrol's National Commander with the rank of Brigadier General.As National Commander, General Casaday distinguished himself by his outstanding leadership. Of particular importance was his enthusiastic commitment to aerospace education.
In recognition of this leadership,he was enshrined in the Civil Air Patrol Hall of Honor. A bronze plaque similar to the plaque in the Southern Museum of Flight is on permanent display at the Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
In addition to his Civil Air Patrol activities, Tom is a veteran pilot and flies his own personal airplane.
He is a designated FAA safety officer.
He served as first president of St. Clair county aviation authority.
He was Vice President, v. J. Elmore stores.
He is a Director, Southern Museum of Flight.
He is a past President, Birmingham Aero Club.
He is on the board of directors, Union State Bank.
He developed Pine Harbor Marina and Country Club.
In January 1944, at El Paso, Texas, Tom married Olive Elmore from Clanton, Alabama. In 1946 he was medically discharged from the Air Corps to return to his native state. Tom Casaday had not lost his love of aviation. He soon qualified as an FAA rated pilot. This led to his joining the Civil Air Patrol in 1948. He became a very active and involved member. He had found his destiny and his progress was phenomenal. He rapidly progressed to Squadron Commander, Unit Training Officer and Wing Executive Officer. Soon he became Commander of the Alabama Wing which was designated the nation's finest. Next he became Southeast Regional Vice-Commander and then Regional Commander. During his tour as Regional Commander, the Southeast Region was designated the nation's number one region.Tom was then elected Vice-Chairman of the National Board and served in that capacity until becoming Civil Air Patrol's National Commander with the rank of Brigadier General.As National Commander, General Casaday distinguished himself by his outstanding leadership. Of particular importance was his enthusiastic commitment to aerospace education.
In recognition of this leadership,he was enshrined in the Civil Air Patrol Hall of Honor. A bronze plaque similar to the plaque in the Southern Museum of Flight is on permanent display at the Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
In addition to his Civil Air Patrol activities, Tom is a veteran pilot and flies his own personal airplane.
He is a designated FAA safety officer.
He served as first president of St. Clair county aviation authority.
He was Vice President, v. J. Elmore stores.
He is a Director, Southern Museum of Flight.
He is a past President, Birmingham Aero Club.
He is on the board of directors, Union State Bank.
He developed Pine Harbor Marina and Country Club.