World War II Military Figure. On December 7, 1941, he was a US Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant, assigned to the 46th Pursuit Squadron at Wheeler Airfield, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Still in pajamas, he managed to take off in a P-36 Hawk with three other pilots and was directed to engage Japanese fighters toward Kaneohe Bay. Of the four US Airman that were able to get airborne in the attack, he was the only one to shoot down a Japanese Zero in the first battle of WW II. Returning to the field, he landed his P-36 without brakes, rudder or tail wheel and with more than 500 bullet holes. For his actions, Lt. Rasmussen received the Silver Star. He went on to fly many combat missions, shooting down other Japanese planes and a bombing mission over Japan that earned him the Distinguish Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster. He stayed in the military and retired a US Air Force Colonel in 1965. His character has been portrayed in many films to include "Tora, Tora, Tora" (1970) and Pearl Harbor (2001). The US Air Force National Museum, Ohio, features a WW II exhibit that details Lt. Rasmussen's exploits that day titled "The Pajama Pilot." He died of Cancer.
World War II Military Figure. On December 7, 1941, he was a US Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant, assigned to the 46th Pursuit Squadron at Wheeler Airfield, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Still in pajamas, he managed to take off in a P-36 Hawk with three other pilots and was directed to engage Japanese fighters toward Kaneohe Bay. Of the four US Airman that were able to get airborne in the attack, he was the only one to shoot down a Japanese Zero in the first battle of WW II. Returning to the field, he landed his P-36 without brakes, rudder or tail wheel and with more than 500 bullet holes. For his actions, Lt. Rasmussen received the Silver Star. He went on to fly many combat missions, shooting down other Japanese planes and a bombing mission over Japan that earned him the Distinguish Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster. He stayed in the military and retired a US Air Force Colonel in 1965. His character has been portrayed in many films to include "Tora, Tora, Tora" (1970) and Pearl Harbor (2001). The US Air Force National Museum, Ohio, features a WW II exhibit that details Lt. Rasmussen's exploits that day titled "The Pajama Pilot." He died of Cancer.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
LT COL USAF
WORLD WAR II
SS & OLC
DFC
AM & 3 OLC
PEARL HARBOR
SURVIVOR
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