Malverne resident named adjutant of NY State American Legion

The American Legion in New York State recently announced the appointment of a new adjutant in nearly three decades to James W. Casey of Malverne.

Casey will succeed Adjutant Richard M. Pedro — a World War II veteran who retired after 29 years of serving with the Legion — and work out of Department Headquarters in Albany as chief administrative officer.

Casey comes to the position as an experienced leader and administrator himself, working in the past as a Department commander, a member of Daniel M. O’Connell Post 272 in Rockaway Beach and vice chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee. In fact, Casey received the American Legion Meritorious Service Award at a recent Department Convention for his disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Casey also chairs the National Commander’s Visitation Dinner for the 1st, 2nd, 9th and 10th Districts, and he chairs the New York City American Legion Committee, a group of Legionnaires from five counties working to find solutions to problems in New York City.

Casey grew up in Rockaway Beach, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 in 1969. Upon his return from the Navy four years later, he met his wife, Paulette Hurley, an Irish immigrant from Cork City. They have been married for 35 years and have a daughter and two sons. Casey is retired from working as a signal inspector for the Long Island Railroad over the last 28 years.