World War II Honoree

Harlan Eugene 'Sonny' Rasmussen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ashton, Illinois

Honored By

Harlan W. Rasmussen

Relationship

Nephew

Enlisted in the Army on JANUARY 27, 1942, at the age of 21, a little more than a month after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. HE WAS assigned to Company I, 101st Infantry located at Camp Gordon, near Augusta, Georgia. HE broke his back during training exercises in South Carolina in late 1943 and was hospitalized for several months. In April 1944, he was furloughed to go home for a couple of weeks. Shortly after his return to Camp Gordon, his unit was sent directly to Cherborg, France, arriving on September 7, 1944. HE was assigned to a machine gun unit, as part of the 26th DIVISION, 12th Army Group. Entered combat operations on October 7, 1944 with a limited objective attack in the Moncourt Woods. On November 8th, the 26th Infantry Division launched an offensive to take the town of Dieuze, France. Heavy fighting ensued and HE was killed in action on November 11, 1944.