Robert Walter McCaskey was born on July 13, 1934. He attended Saint Peter’s College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science on January 15, 1957.   

McCaskey joined the United States Army Reserves, where he became a fixed wing aviation unit commander with the 11th Aviation Group, 1st Cavalry Division, rising to the rank of major. He was a pilot of a Grumman OV-1C Mohawk and was killed in action on April 7, 1968 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam. His aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire while returning from a low level VR/Photo reconnaissance mission in support of the 101st Airborne Division. The official casualty report shows "Killed in Action" as pilot of military aircraft was hit by hostile ground fire and crashed.

David A. Mates from Scottdale, Pa., related the following: "I am fairly certain Hawk 66-1885 that you have listed as crashed 4 -7-68 was assigned to the 1st Cavalry. I am reasonably certain that it crashed 4-6-68 and the pilot was Major Robert McCaskey and the TO was SP5 Andrew Slatt. The aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire while returning from a low level VR/Photo reconnaissance mission in support of the 101st Airborn Division. Major McCaskey was killed but Slatt ejected and survived. I was talking to him on this date and verified all of the above.”  - David A. Mates, a.k.a “Magilla,” 115 Fourth Avenue, Scottdale, PA 15683.

Major McCaskey was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with 1 Silver Service Star and 1 Bronze Service Star - total of six campaigns or battles), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 1960 device), Vietnam National Order 5th Class, Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Soldiers Medal (with 1 oak leaf cluster) and Air Medal (with numeral 8).  Major McCaskey also earned the Senior Aviator Badge (wings), Parachute Badge and Ranger Tab.

Major McCaskey’s body is buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.