Richard Lamont Aszmus

Stickney, SD

1937-38, 2754, Wind Cave, NP-1,

Richard Lamont Aszmus was born on May 18, 1914, to Richard and Zela (Freeman) Aszmus, in Stickney. Zela, Richard's mother, died in 1928, and his aunt, Bertha Aszmus, helped to raise Richard. He graduated from Stickney High School and later worked at the C.C.C. camp at Wind Cave for 18 months. Richard was considered a "quiet, likable and conscientious boy who led an almost model life," according to the Stickney Argus.

In October of 1940, Richard enlisted in the Air Corps branch of the Army. Assigned to the 75th bomber squadron, he was attending Lincoln Airplane and Flying School at Lincoln, Nebraska.

His father, Richard, Sr. and his niece had driven to Sioux City, Iowa, to pick up Corp. Aszmus for a 36-hour leave for Christmas. Early in the morning of December 24, 1941, the car hit a "concrete bridge abutement" in a head-on accident. Corp. Richard Aszmus was thrown from the car and died on impact. The other two occupants were injured and suffered in the cold for several hours until they were rescued and hospitalized in Mitchell.

The body of Corporal Richard L. Aszmus was later taken to Stickney for a funeral service and burial, complete with military honors.

Information from Tyndall Tribune and Register, January 1, 1942, Stickney Argus, January 1, 1941.

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