Two Norwood brothers, Pfc. Kenneth J. Cashen of the Marines, and Ralph D. Cashen of the Army, both of whom have been presented the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, recently were discharged from the service.

Pfc, Kenneth Cashen entered the Marine Corps in September, 1943 and received his boot training at Parris Island, South Carolina. He left for, overseas in October of the same year and was serving as an orderly to Admiral M. B. Gardner when the Aircraft Carrier Enterprise was struck on the coast of Iwo Jima in March, 1945. Cashen volunteered to assist the crew m putting out the fire and as result suffered serious burns. He was sent home in May on a 30-day convalescent leave.

At the termination of his leave, he was assigned to duty aboard a battleship bound for Pearl Harbor and was wounded the second time. Recovering from his wounds, he served aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga as a flag orderly. Besides the Purple Heart, Cashen is the holder of five battle stars. He was a student of Norwood High at the time of his enlistment.

Pfc. Ralph Cashen entered the Army on January 1, 1943. He received his basic training at Camp Hood, Texas, and left for overseas in July, 1943, attached to the Tank Destroyers. In December, 1944, he was transferred to the 101st Infantry of General Patton’s Third Army and was wounded in action in Luxembourg on December 30, 1944. Besides the Purple Heart, Ralph holds five battle stars, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Presidential Citation. Previous to entering the service, he was employed at the Hollision Mills.

Pfc. Ralph Cashen was discharged from, the Army at Fort Devens. His brother Kenneth received his discharge from the Marines at Brainbridge, Maryland. They are the sons of Mrs. Nellie Cashen of 17A West street.

Tags: 101st Infantry, 1943, 1944, 1946, Admiral M. B. Gardner, Aircraft Carrier Enterprise, Army, Day, fire, General George Patton, Iwo Jima, Kenneth J. Cashen, Marine Corps, Marines, Military, Mr, Norwood, Pearl Harbor, Pfc. Kenneth J. Cashen, President, Purple Heart, Ralph D. Cashen, Third Army, This Day In Norwood History, train, U.S.S. Saratoga, veteran, Veterans

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