Corporal Donald Dean Raasch

Nebraska Corporal Don Raasch (Norfolk, NE, Marines, World War Two)  

Corporal Don Raasch began his career when he entered the Active Duty United States Marine Corps in 1943. He began his training in California, before being transferred to Hawaii to continue training. He was then assigned to the 26^th Marines, 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Marine Division where he was sent to Iwo Jima to battle. After 14 days of constant battle and helping secure the first landing strip, Raasch was injured by a mortar shell explosion and earned a Purple Heart. He spent 15 months recovering in San Francisco before being discharged.

After returning home in 1945, Raasch worked as a lineman and engineer for the Nebraska Public Power District for 46 years.