CASEY, Kenneth Edmund 1916-1942

CASEY, TEFF, MAHR, KUSCHE

Posted By: Errin Wilker
Date: 11/7/2013 at 12:40:58

REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION

For a second time since the country has been at war the Mike H. Casey family of New Albin are sorrowed with a message from the U.S. Naval Department. Last week they received official notice their son, Kenneth was missing in action following the performance of his duties in service.

He is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Casey, age 26, and he enlisted in the Navy in December, 1939, and was with his brother Billy at Pearl Harbor when the Japs attacked there. This brother was reported missing in action shortly afterwards but that turned out to be a mistake so the parents and brothers and sisters have hopes this message may be wrong and he will be heard from again. He was serving in the Southwest Pacific area and his letters have been few and far between.

--------------------------------------------------

DEATH OF NEW ALBIN YOUTH OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED BY NAVY

The following communication from the Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox confirms the death of Kenneth Edmund Casey. The letter was addressed to the young man’s father in New Albin, and reads as follows:

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Washington
28th August 1943

Mr. Michael H. Casey
New Albin, Iowa

My Dear Mr. Casey:

After a full year of review of all available information, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son, Kenneth Edmund Casey, Ship’s Cook second class, U.S.N., is deceased, having been reported “missing in action” on August 9th, 1942, being a member of the crew and serving aboard the U.S.S. Astoria when that vessel was sunk as a result of enemy action during the Battle of Savo Island.

In Accordance with Section 5 of the Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, your son’s death is presumed to have occurred on Aug. 10th, 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of 12 months.

I extend to you my sincere sympathy in your great loss and hope you may find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his Country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. The Navy shares in your sense of bereavement and will feel the loss of his service.

Sincerely yours.
Frank Knox

--------------------------------------------------

ANNIVERSARY REQUIEM MASS HONORING KENNETH E. CASEY

On Monday morning, Aug. 9th, a Solemn Requiem Mass was offered for the repose of the soul of Kenneth E. Casey, S.C. 2c at St. Joseph’s Church, New Albin, Iowa, a year ago to the day he was reported missing in action with the loss of the U.S. Cruiser Astoria, which went to a watery grave in the battle with the enemy in the Southwest Pacific.

Father Lawrence Hayes, resident pastor, was celebrant at the Divine Service, with Father M.J. Brogan of Dorchester, deacon. The Mass was attended by a large group of relatives and friends of the deceased, and Messrs. Frank Teeling, C.G. Bray, Merle Barthell, Leon O’Brien and Charles Palmer, representing the Ralph D. Waters Post of the American Legion, Waukon.

Kenneth Casey was born in La Crosse, Wis., where the family resided, Aug. 19, 1916, and later moved to Allamakee and Houston County, Minn. He attended the Caledonia high school and was the second eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Casey, farmers residing near the Bush Church. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy with his brother Billy in Dec. 1939, and after completing his training at the Great Lakes was sent aboard ship. They were together at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Jap attack and his brother was first erroneously reported missing there. The boys enjoyed one visit home together since they joined the Navy.

During the services Father Hayes preached an eloquent sermon, choosing for his subject, “It Is a Holy and Wholesome Thought to Pray for the Dead.” He reviewed the cause and victories of all American sailors, soldiers and airmen, saying all were of the bravest type and no greater glory or honor could a man leave than that of giving his life for his country while on duty at his battle station.

Besides his parents he is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Bernard, Iowa City; Billy, U.S. Navy in the Southwest Pacific; Winifred, Mrs. Chris Teff, Mrs. Reginald Mahr, Dorchester, Marion, Mrs. Marvin Kusche, Kenosha, Wis., and Gladys and Luanne at home. A brother, Merle, preceded him in death as a little boy.

All the brothers and sisters were present at the Memorial Mass except Billy at sea with the U.S. Navy. Among other relatives and friends in attendance were Instructor Ear Whalen, Air Corps, Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. R.E. Twite, Brownsville, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Dan Regan, Waukon; Mrs. Mike Kilgariff and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dunlevy, Lansing.

Source: Newspaper clippings from a New Albin area scrapbook.