Born November 18, 1895 in Hartford, Connecticut, he graduated from Worcester Academy in 1916 and later attended Officers Training School at Fort Niagara, New York State, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve on 15 August 1917. Assigned to the 312th Field Artillery at Fort Meade, Maryland, he went to Europe in August 1918 and served in France and Germany before returning to the United States in August 1919. During the next two decades he served at various posts in the United States and served with the 15th and 18th Field Artillery and the 7th Cavalry Brigade. Assigned to the I Armored Corps in July 1940, he served with them until July 1942 when he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division. Appointed Brigadier General 5 August 1942, he was sent to the European Theater in November; and, in April 1944, he was designated Chief of Staff for General Patton's 3d Army fighting in France. He then assumed command of the 4th Armored Division in December. Major General Gaffey was killed in a B-25 Mitchell crash at Godman Field, Kentucky.