World War II Honoree

James Keith Rasmussen

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Jetmore, Kansas

Honored By

Fern E. Rasmussen, Lisa, Lorna, Ric, Rod, Greg & Galen

Relationship

Wife, Daughters & Sons

SERVED ABOARD THE CRUISER, USS SAN JUAN CL-54 AS A RADIO AND MORSE CODE OPERATOR IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. COMPLETED BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AT THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING STATION, FARRAGUT, IDAHO AND LATER TRANSFERRED TO PEARL HARBOR HAWAII FOR RADIO/MORSE CODE SCHOOLING. CAMPAIGNS: IWO JIMA, INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND OKINAWA. WHEN ALL HOSTILITIES HAD CEASED WITH THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES, HIS SHIP AND CREW PERFORMED OCCUPATION DUTY IN JAPAN AND HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LIBERATING, PROVIDING MEDICAL AIDE AND THE EVACUATION OF ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR. THE USS SAN JUAN AND CREW WERE IN SAGAMI WAN BAY, JUST OUTSIDE TOKYO BAY DURING THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE TREATY. ENTERED THE SERVICE SEPTEMBER 2, 1943 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED MAY 15, 1946 AT THE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION, NORMAN, OKLAHOMA. HIS SHIP RECEIVED 13 BATTLE STARS FOR HER WWII SERVICE.