Biography

Paul E. Casinelli is a native of Cranston, Rhode Island and a 1972 graduate of Cranston High School. He entered the University of Rhode Island with the class of 1976. While at URI, he earned three varsity letters as a member of the University Rifle Team. Paul participated in the Army ROTC program for all four years. He graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Services Corps.

LT Cassinelli was accepted into the first class of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Medical School, Bethesda, Maryland. He then trained at Walter Reed and Brook Army Medical Centers in Anesthesiology. His assignments included: Commander, Emergency Triage Team, 97th General Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany; Chief Anesthesia and Operative Services, Womack Army Hospital and Anesthesiologist, 1st Forward Surgical Team 44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC; Division Surgeon, 3d Armor Division; Field Surgeon, 30th Infantry Brigade, North Carolina Army National Guard and Flight Surgeon, Medical Detachment 5, Connecticut Army National Guard.

In September 2001, LTC Cassinelli deployed to Bosnia as Field Surgeon, 143rd Forward Support Battalion Special Forces Team 10, Camp Comanche, Bosnia. He provided outstanding medical support and care to the soldiers at Camp Comanche, Bosnia and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service. His next assignment was State Surgeon and Commander, Connecticut Army National Guard Medical Command, Niantic, Connecticut.

In February 2004, Colonel Cassinelli again deployed to a combat zone as the Command Surgeon, Task Force 185 Aviation, in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM-2, Balad, Iraq. He was again recognized for his outstanding medical support and awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Brigadier General Paul E. Cassinelli served as the Assistant Surgeon General for Readiness, Mobilization, and U.S. Army National Guard Affairs from November 2005 until October 2008. He functioned as an advisor to the U.S. Army Surgeon General regarding medical policies affecting National Guard soldiers and their families. He served as an interface between the Surgeon General and the 54 State and Territory Surgeons.

BG Cassinelli’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Expert Field Medical Badge, Flight Surgeon Wings, Airborne Badge, Pathfinder Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.

Brigadier General Paul E. Cassinelli retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service to his country. He resides in Cranston, Rhode Island with his wife Susan. BG Cassinelli is a strong supporter of the University of Rhode Island and the URI Foundation.