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name
RASMUSSEN, Howard W - Date of
birth
2 August 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
South Dakota -
Hometown
Garfield, Clay County, South Dakota
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
37490091 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
Rifleman -
Unit
L Company,
3rd Battalion,
117th Infantry Regiment,
30th Infantry Division,
1st Platoon - 2nd Squad
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 April 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Hammeln, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 18 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Peter Rasmussen (father)
Ida Rasmussen (mother)
Raymond Rasmussen (brother)
Alice Rasmussen (sister)
Isabel Rasmussen (sister)
More information
PFC Howard W Rasmussen attended Beresford High School before he enlisted on 10 February 1944.Colonel Walter M. Johnson, commanding officer of the 117th, wrote a letter to family, explaining what happend: "On 6 April 1945, Co. L was assigned the mission of capturing the town of Hamelin, Germany. At approximately 7:00 P.M., your brave son moved up on Hamelin, with his squad. The squad encountered heavy sniper fire, and during this enemy action, Pfc. Howard W. Rasmussen was shot in the head and died instantly, according to Medic Pfc Hager T. Mooridian."
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com – 1940 Census, www.oldhickory30th.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Hans Wijnands - Beresford High School