Mr. George Tassey, Sr.

Colonel George Tassey, US Army (Retired), 92, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at Riverview Nursing Home, under the care of Hospice Savannah, Inc. George Tassey, a native Savannahian, graduated from Savannah – Commercial High School in 1939. He earned a BA from North Georgia College and a Masters degree from Boston University. He was a graduate of the Infantry Advanced Officers Course and the Command and General Staff College. He volunteered for military service in World War II, completed infantry basic and later attended the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning where he was commissioned a Lieutenant of Infantry. He served in the Philippines during World War II, and was granted a Regular Army commission during the first Regular Army integration of selected AUS officers. At the outset of the Korean War, he commanded an Infantry company. As a company commander of the 23rd Infantry, 2d Infantry Division, he shared the hardships and the victories of the Regiments valiant stand again 4 Chinese divisions at Chip Young-Ni in February of 1951. Upon return to the United States he was assigned to the Ranger Department, the Infantry School, as training officer. He served a second tour in Korea in 1962, as Brigade Operations officer of the 1st Calvary Division; then as the Deputy Battle Group Commander of the 12th Calvary. His third combat duty was in 1969, in Vietnam as Deputy Senior Advisor to the 7th ARVN (South Vietnamese) Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta. Other highlights of his military service: Commander of the US Army Mountain Ranger Camp, Dahlonega, Georgia; two tours in Germany as Infantry Battalion Operation and Training Officer; staff officer, United States Army European Command at Heidelberg; Deputy District Commander, North Wuerttemberg District; Post Commander of Patch Barracks, where the European Command Headquarters was located. His last duty assignment was as Senior Advisor to the Maneuver Training Command in Kentucky. His awards include: the Silver Star Medal; Legion of Merit (w/oak leaf); Air Medal (3), Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal w/cluster; Distinguished Unit Citation; Combat Infantryman Badge; and the ranger Tab. Foreign awards: The Philippine Liberation Medal and the Philippine Independence Medal; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry; Vietnamese Staff Service Medal. He participated in 5 major campaigns in Korea (5 battle stars). He was awarded 2 battle stars for his involvement in Vietnam. Colonel Tassey retired from the US Army on March 1, 1975 after serving for thirty two years. He was installed in the Infantry Officer Candidate’s School Hall of Fame at Fort Banning, Ga in 1979. He was past president and member of the Lions Club of Savannah; member of the American Legion, the Retired officers Association, the Military Order of World Wars and a charter member of WW II Memorial. Colonel Tassey is a member of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Dorothy Jackson of Fort Screven, Ga; and is survived by his 2 children, George, Jr., and Cynthia Owen of Idaho, a brother, Harry Tassopoulos of Decatur, Ga., numerous grandchildren and great grandchild, and several nephews and nieces and great nieces. Trisagion Service: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker with Father Vasile Mihai, officiating. Visitation: 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Hubert C . Baker Chapel. Funeral Services: 11 a.m.Wednesday at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, with Father Vasile Mihai, officiating. Interment: Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park, with Military Honors. Honorary Pallbearers: Members of the Lions Club of Savannah. Fairhaven Funeral Home - Hubert C. Baker Chapel, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406, is in charge of arrangements.