Senator Farley Inducts Hamilton County Veteran Into Senate Hall of Fame

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) had the pleasure of inducting Major Frank Casazza, of Indian Lake, Hamilton County, into the New York State Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame on May 19th at a ceremony at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.

"We all know and appreciate our veterans for keeping our country safe and free," Senator Farley said, "but we need to take the time to tell them. This Hall of Fame is the Senate’s way of saying 'thank you' -- that all of your sacrifices were worth it."

Casazza volunteered for the Army Air Corp Air Cadet Program during WWII, and two weeks after graduating from high school, was in basic training. On August 21, 1944, Frank earned his wings as an Army Air Corps Navigator. He was 19 years old.

Four months later, Frank was assigned to the 8th Air Force in the 446th Bomb Group of B-24 Heavy Bombers stationed in Bungay, England. His very first mission was to Magdeburg, Germany where Frank and his crew survived an intense attack by approximately 200 antiaircraft guns, their plane narrowly escaping countless bursts of flak and concussions. Tragically, he witnessed the loss of others in his squadron that fateful day. Casazza went on to fly ten successful combat missions over Germany including one over Berlin on 26 February 1945.

After the war, Casazza remained an active member of the Air Force Reserves, went to Newark College of Engineering, and began working in research. In 1952, with a strong desire to continue flying Air Force missions, he sought out an active flying reserve squadron and flew over-water missions including regularly transporting radar equipment to Cuba. He retired from the Reserves in April 1985 after 41 years of faithful service to the Nation.

Casazza is a proud member of American Legion Post 1392 in Indian Lake where he currently serves as Acting Adjutant and was responsible for creating the Post’s website. He is a member of the 446th Bomb Group Association and the Military Officers Association of America. In further service to his community, Frank has been a volunteer with youth in Little League programs as well as the YMCA. He will be married to his loving wife, Fran, 70 years this July. They are the proud parents of two children.