Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
2015.059.022 |
Object Name |
Card, Identification |
Donor |
Rasmussen, Merle |
Scope / Description |
Two Selective Service System cards, off white paper, rectangular, printed on both sides. Both have the service man's name on the front. The Registration Certificate also has his signature, address, and the date of September 2, 1948. On back is a description of the man's physical characteristics. The Notice of Classification has his selective service number and the date of May 26, 1950. On back is a stamp from the same date, and a postmark from this postcard having been mailed. Registration: 3 5/8 x 2 1/4 Classification: 3 1/4 x 2 3/8 PROVENANCE: These documents pertain to Junior Rasmussen. Rasmussen and Merle Merritt met in the Army and became life-long friends. Rasmussen named his son, the donor, after Merritt. Both men were farm boys back home. RASMUSSEN: All of the materials in this donation belonged to the donor's father Junior Marion Rasmussen who served in the U.S. Army immediately following WWII, in the 78th Division, 16th Cavalry, Berlin Constabulary, in a Reconnaissance Unit. He served as a Private First Class in Berlin, patrolled the American Sector, befriended German civilians, and collected souvenirs which he brought home to the U.S. Rasmussen (May 22, 1924-May 17, 2015) was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and was the son of Danish American parents Marion (1885-1969) and Maren Kristine (Steffensen) Rasmussen (b. ?) who were married on January 5, 1921. Maren died on May 31, 1924, just days after giving birth. In 1925, Marion remarried to another Danish immigrant woman, Marie E. Jensen, to help raise his son. Junior Rasmussen married Mary Elizabeth on May 19, 1956, and they had one son, the donor. Marion's parents were Lars Christian Rasmussen and Karen Marie Andersen Rasmussen. Lars was born in 1851 in Hjørring, Denmark, and died in 1934 in Neola, Iowa. Karen was born in 1843 in Voer, Hjørring, Denmark, and died in 1928 in Neola. The couple immigrated in 1882. Their son Marion was born in Weston, Iowa, south of Neola about 10 miles. 78TH DIVISION: The 78th Infantry Division was activated on August 23, 1917 at Camp Dix, New Jersey. In World War II, the 78th Division was reactivated at Camp Butner, North Carolina on August 15, 1942. After two years as a Training Division, the 78th embarked for the European Theatre. There, in combat in Belgium, France and Germany our men brought even more honor to an already proud name. The Siegfried Line, the Roer and Rhine rivers, the Cologne plain, the Remagen bridgehead, the Ruhr pocket - all lay along the road to Berlin, where after six months of occupation duty, the Division was officially deactivated in May of 1946. The 78th Division again responded to the nation's call in 1990 and 1991 during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In 1992, the Division transformed into an Exercise Division under the Army's "Bold Shift" initiative. The new mission is to conduct small unit collective training (Lanes) and computerized battle simulation exercises for client units in the First Army East area. |
Language of Material |
English |
Title |
Selective Service System Registration Certificate Selective Service System Notice of Classification |
Date |
1948, 1950 |
Dates of Creation |
September 2, 1948 May 26, 1950 |
Associated People |
Rasmussen, Junior Marion |
Search Terms |
Draft Identification cards Rasmussen, Junior Marion Registration Selective Service System Notice of Classification Selective Service System Registration Certificate World War II WWII |
Subjects |
Identification cards Legal documents Military documents--United States Recruiting and enlistment United States--Armed Forces World War, 1939-1945--United States--Veterans |
Given In Memory Of |
In Memory of Junior Marion Rasmussen |
Date Received by Museum |
11/28/2015 |
Images |
291\2015059022.JPG |
Accession number |
2015.059 |
Collection |
Rasmussen, Junior Marion & Mary Elizabeth Collection |