Gunner Lost In Air Action
Sgt. Rasmussen, Sioux City, Missing Over Germany
T. Sgt. Robert J. Rasmussen has been reported missing in action over Germany since November 21, according to a telegram for the war department received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rasmussen, 1608 W. Fifth Street.
Sgt Rasmussen went overseas in July of this year as a radio gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress and was stationed at an Eighth A. A.F. base in England.
He recently had been awarded the air medal for meritorious service.
He was a former Tribune carrier salesman and was employed by Western Union as night manager when he enlisted two years ago.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, December 13, 1944
RELEASED FROM GERMAN PRISON
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rasmussen, 1608 W. Fifth street, received a V-mail letter Thursday morning from their son, T. Sgt. Robert J. Rasmussen, stating that he had been released as a German prisoner of war and is now in a hospital in France. The letter was dated April 18. Sgt. Rasmussen, a radio gunner on a Flying Fortress, had been reported missing since November 21, 1944.
The last word received by Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen concerning their son came from the War Department about a month ago. The notification said that Sgt. Rasmussen’s plane was shot down over Leipzig, Germany, and that nine men were seen parachuting from the plane.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 26, 1945 (photo included)
Robert John “Bob” Rasmussen was born Sept. 3, 1924 to Jack C. and Gladys L. Cave Rasmussen. He died Dec. 22, 2007 and is buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Albuquerque, NM.
Chief Warrant Officer Rasmussen served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps, 8th Air Force. His plane was shot down and he became a German POW. He served his country for 30 years, earning the Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
