VETERAN'S STORY
Richard Thomas Pasma
Richard Thomas Pasma served our country for 5 years from 1941 to 1945 in the US Army.  After he was drafted into WW2, he went to boot camp in Camp Roberts, California.  After he was done training he was sent to Melbourne, Australia.  He was involved in the 41st artillery division where his job was to shoot 105mm guns at the enemy.  He was such a brave soldier and he never regreted fighting in WW2.  

Richard Thomas Pasma served our country for 5 years from 1941-1945 in the US Army.  He was drafted in February 1941.  After he was drafted he was sent to Camp Roberts, California, to complete his US Army boot camp.  When he was done with training he was assigned to the 41st Infantry Division.  He attended his field artillery camp training in Fort Lewis, Washington.  

After he was done training, he was assigned to the 146th field artillery unit.  Richard Pasma was now ready to be deported overseas to fight in WW2.  He was sent overseas to Melbourne, Australia, in February of 1944.  He was stationed in Melbourne for 2 months where he conducted joint training exercises with the Australian Army.  In April of 1944, he was sent to New Guinea.  

As soon as he arrived, the Battle of Hollandia had begun.  Pasma was in charge of firing 105mm guns in support of ground troops.  After a long, gruesome battle, the US troops defeated the Japanese and won the Battle of Hollandia.  On May 27, 1944, his fellow soldiers landed on Biak Island.  Combat on Biak Island lasted until August 15, 1944.  They had fought for over 2 months straight.  While in New Guinea, Richard Pasma got malaria.  

Another job that he was in charge of during the war was to tow heavy guns through thick mud and dense jungles with tractors, trucks and mules.  Approximately 474 US troops died during the New Guinea campaign while fighting, however close to 6100 Japanese soldiers were killed on the New Guinea campaign.  The 41st Infantry were nicknamed the “Jungaleers¨ because of their fighting in the New Guinea jungle.  

Once back from the war, Richard Pasma learned carpentry and built numerous houses throughout Ripon, California.  He lived the rest of his life in his small hometown of Ripon, California.  He was a true hero in my eyes because he did not back down from fighting in the war.  I hope this story is an inspiration to many people to share their service stories and preserve them for future generations.  















Soldiers profile
1518115071
Richard Thomas Pasma
World War II
Ripon, California
United States
US Army
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