World War II United States Army General. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve on August 15, 1917. His first assignment was with the 312th Field Artillery at Fort Meade, Maryland. One year later, in August 1918, in WWI, he went to France and served there and later in Germany, returning to the U.S. in August 1919. Over the next twenty years he was stationed at several posts in the United States serving with the 15th and 18th Field Artillery and the 7th Cavalry Brigade in the 1920s and 1930s. In July, 1940, he was assigned to the First Armored Corps. Two years later, in July 1942, he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Brigadier General and was sent to the European Theater later that year. In April 1944, he was assigned as the Chief of Staff for General Patton's 3d Army. In Decmeber 1944, he assumed command of the 4th Armored Division and led the Division through the German lines to rescue General McAuliffe and his men who had been encircled by German forces at Bastogne. After the war, MG Gaffey was assigned as the commander of Fort Knox. He was killed in a B-25 crash as it attempted to land at Godman Airfield on Fort Knox. He is the highest ranking officer buried in the Fort Knox cemetery.
World War II United States Army General. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve on August 15, 1917. His first assignment was with the 312th Field Artillery at Fort Meade, Maryland. One year later, in August 1918, in WWI, he went to France and served there and later in Germany, returning to the U.S. in August 1919. Over the next twenty years he was stationed at several posts in the United States serving with the 15th and 18th Field Artillery and the 7th Cavalry Brigade in the 1920s and 1930s. In July, 1940, he was assigned to the First Armored Corps. Two years later, in July 1942, he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Brigadier General and was sent to the European Theater later that year. In April 1944, he was assigned as the Chief of Staff for General Patton's 3d Army. In Decmeber 1944, he assumed command of the 4th Armored Division and led the Division through the German lines to rescue General McAuliffe and his men who had been encircled by German forces at Bastogne. After the war, MG Gaffey was assigned as the commander of Fort Knox. He was killed in a B-25 crash as it attempted to land at Godman Airfield on Fort Knox. He is the highest ranking officer buried in the Fort Knox cemetery.
Bio by: James Richards
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