Lt. Col Philip M. Rasmussen
U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC), U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF)
Background
Philip Martin Rasmussen was born May 11, 1918 to parents Alfred Emil Rasmussen and Ane (nee Sorensen) Rasmussen in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated high school and attended four years of college. Prewar, worked in construction and maintenance.
Wartime History
On September 9, 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet with serial number 11020023. He attended flight training and earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-411732. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).
 On December 7, 1941 in the morning, 2nd Lt Philip M. Rasmussen awoke wearing pajamas and immediately raced to the flight line to undamaged P-36A Hawk 38-86 and taxied to a revetment at the edge of the runways and joined three other pilots preparing to take off and together took off from Wheeler Field under fire. Once airborne, the pilots were directed by radio to engage Japanese planes over Kaneohe Bay on northern Oahu. During the dog fight, Rasmussen claimed a Japanese plane shot down then was attacked by two Japanese A6M2 Zeros and hit by gunfire that shattered his canopy, destroyed the radio and severed the hydraulic lines and rudder cable. To escape, Rasmussen flew into clouds then back to Wheeler Field and landed without breaks, rudder or a tail wheel plus more than 500 bullet holes in the plane. For his actions, Rasmussen earned the Silver Star.
Afterwards, assigned to the 8th Fighter Group (8th FG) in New Guinea. By the end of 1943, promoted to the rank of Major.
On December 31, 1943 claimed a Ki-43 Oscar over Arawe, his second aerial victory claim.
Aerial victory claims
Robbins was officially credited with two aerial victories between December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1943.
Postwar
On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). In 1965, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Awards
Rasmussen earned the Silver Star for his actions December 7, 1941 and Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
Memorials
Rasmussen died April 30, 2005 at age 86 of of cancer in Fort Myers in Florida. On July 21, 2005 he was buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at section 66 grave 1390.
P-36A Hawk 38-1 displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (USAF Museum) is painted in the markings of P-36A Hawk 38-86 that Rasmussen flew on December 7, 1941.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Philip M. Rasmussen
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Rasmussen Philip M. page
137 (PDF page 164)
USAAF (Pacific Theater) Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft in Air-To-Air Combat World War 2. Victory List No. 3 (1985) pages 1 (December 7, 1941), 53 (December 31, 1943)
Hall of Valor - Philip M. Rasmussen (Silver Star citation)
National Museum of the United States Air Force (USAF Museum) - Lt. Philip Rasmussen and His P-36A (photos)
Lecture by Col (Ret.)
Philip Rasmussen "Take Off at Pearl Harbor" (audio)
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Philip Martin Rasmussen (grave photos)
FindAGrave - LTC Philip M. Rasmussen (photo, grave photo)
Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?
|
