World War II Honoree

William Maurice 'Bill' Rasmussen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Rochelle, Illinois

Honored By

Harlan W. Rasmussen

Relationship

Nephew

Enlisted in the Army on July 11, 1944; two months shy of his 19th birthday. He was assigned to the Tank Corps at Fort Knox, Kentucky, part of the 8th Armored Division. AFTER FURLOUGH, HE returned to his unit at the beginning of December 1944 and was deployed to France, landing on January 5, 1945 at Rouen. Although France was covered in snow and ice, HIS unit pushed THROUGH, arriving at Pont a Mouson; a launching point of the units initial engagement with the Germans. HE was involved in many tank battles and the rescue of allied PRISONERS OF WAR as he progressed across Belgium and into Germany. HE was released from active duty on December 11, 1946 and returned to his hometown, Rochelle, Illinois.