In World War II Hugh Casey was active in the Leyte and Luzon campaigns in the Philippines, for which he received two Silver Star medals.

[2] In August 1945 Casey was a technician fourth grade assigned to the 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion serving in the Philippines.

[4] After completing Officer Candidate School in 1948 he was commissioned an infantry second lieutenant in the Regular Army and stationed at Fort Devens in Massachusetts.

He was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Defence of the Hungman Beachhead in December 1950 and received a battlefield promotion to captain.

[5] He was killed in the crash of a light Army aircraft near Tong Du Chon (Romanization of Korean 동두천 has changed spelling to Dongducheon), South Korea on January 11, 1952.