Robert L. Rasmussen
Bob Rasmussen | |
---|---|
Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico Naval Aviation Schools Command | |
Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross |
Robert L. "Bob" Rasmussen (born May 26, 1930 in
Captain Rasmussen served on active duty from 20 October 1951 to 30 July 1983 and accumulated 5,000 total flight hours with 600 carrier/ship landings or “traps.”[3]
Designated a Naval Aviator on 10 March 1953, his first fleet tour was with
After this tour he was selected as a Blue Angel. Initially flying the F9F-2B Panther, he participated in the introduction of the Grumman F11F Tiger in the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team in April 1957. While flying the Tiger with the Blues, he made the first successful “engine out” landing in an F-11. He remained with the Blues until 1960.[4]
He returned to the fleet in 1960 at NAS Oceana with VF-33 then known as the Astronauts. In early 1961, he participated in another airframe transition (the squadron’s fourth jet fighter in seven years), the F8U-1E Crusader as the squadron changed its name back to Tarsiers. He deployed with VF-33 aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11) to the Mediterranean in 1961-62.[5]
After staff assignments and
Post command, he served as the aviation junior officer detailer at BUPERS from 1968-1970. In 1970, he reported to NAS Lemoore to qualify in the A-7 Corsair as the prospective commander of CVG-16. In 1971 he transferred to Carrier Division SEVEN at sea off Vietnam to serve as the chief of staff. In 1972, he reported to Concord, California, and took command of USS Mount Hood, a Kilauea-class ammunition ship which deployed again to the sea off Vietnam. In 1974 he became the commanding officer of NS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. He remained there until 1976, when he became director of aviation officer distribution at BUPERS.
In 1980, he returned to the starting place of his Naval Aviation career when he became the commanding officer of Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, Florida, a position he held until his retirement from active duty in 1983.
Due to his prowess as an artist, his knowledge of US Naval Aviation history, and his lengthy aviation career, he was asked to join the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation as vice president upon his retirement. In 1987, he fleeted up to director and oversaw the museum’s expansion in which its size and operation was increased 300% and collection was increased over 400%. He was inducted into the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor in 2008,[8] and was awarded the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award on 24 September 2009. Captain Rasmussen retired as the Director of the museum on September 30, 2014.[9]
Art career
A prolific artist, Rasmussen has created hundreds of Naval Aviation paintings in watercolor, oil and acrylic. His bronze sculptures include the design of the Spirit of Naval Aviation, displayed at the front entrance of the National Museum of Naval Aviation,
Personal life
Captain Rasmussen is married to the former Phyllis Colter of Pensacola. They have two children, daughter Kathryn and son Eric; Eric is also a retired Navy Captain, Naval Aviator and career
References
- ISBN 0-7603-1468-3
- ^ "Hidden History Links Airplane to Retiring Museum Director". National Naval Aviation Museum. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ http://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/REGULARS/Rasmussen-%20Robert%20L.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ http://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/REGULARS/Rasmussen-%20Robert%20L.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ http://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/REGULARS/Rasmussen-%20Robert%20L.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ISBN 978-0-393-32727-4
- ISBN 1-85532-724-4
- ^ "Virginian Pilot, June 20, 2008 pg B4." http://epilot.hamptonroads.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=VirginianPilotA&BaseHref=VirginianPilot/2008/06/20&PageLabelPrint=B4&EntityId=Ar01601&ViewMode=GIF
- ^ Davis, Marketta. "Rasmussen to retire after 27 years". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "'Spirit' of First American In Space Remembered" By Todd Halvorson, Cape Canaveral Bureau Chief, 21 March 2000
- ^ City of Pensacola – Official Website
- ^ City of Pensacola – Official Website
- ^ "Naval Aviation News, July–August 1998, pg 43." http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1998/ja98/ppp.pdf