Rasmussen, Deric Michael
Male
Verified Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deric Michael Rasmussen, 33, of Oceanside, California, was a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. He was killed in action on May 11, 2014, at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Deric Michael Rasmussen was a 33-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 from Oceanside, California. He served with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, based out of Fort Hood, Texas. His military service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.
On May 11, 2014, Rasmussen died from wounds sustained in a non-combat related incident at Camp Marmal in northern Afghanistan. The Department of Defense stated the incident was under investigation. Camp Marmal, a major NATO base near Mazar-i-Sharif, was a hub for train, advise, and assist missions at the time.
Rasmussen's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2014, the mission had largely shifted from direct combat to training Afghan security forces as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Following his death, Rasmussen was posthumously promoted from Chief Warrant Officer 2 to Chief Warrant Officer 3. His body was returned to the United States, and he was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.
He is remembered by his unit and community as a dedicated Army aviator. His name is inscribed on the 1st Cavalry Division Memorial at Fort Hood and is included in the Defense Casualty Analysis System.
Explore Further
Deric Rasmussen was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
