Walter F. Backus

NAME: Walter F. Backus		NICKNAME: —				SERVICE NUMBER: 388556
HOME OF RECORD: Willard, WI				NEXT OF KIN: Mother, Ms. Sue Parmenter
DATE OF BIRTH: 7/4/1921		SERVICE DATES: 4/7/1942 – 11/1/1945				DATE OF DEATH: 12/4/2015
CAMPAIGN	UNIT		MOS		RATE		RESULT
Dutch Harbor	Marine Detachment		—		Private
Saipan	H&S/24		636		PFC
Tinian	H&S/24		636		PFC
Iwo Jima	H&S/24		636		Corporal
INDIVIDUAL DECORATIONS: —				LAST KNOWN RANK: Corporal

Walter Backus joined the Marine Corps in April, 1942. After completing his boot training, he was sent to guard duty at Puget Sound Navy Yard; then, in response to Japanese attacks against the Aleutians, he transferred up to Dutch Harbor, Alaska to help defend the naval air station from further attacks. When the threat subsided, he was returned to Washington State as a private first class.

In early 1944, Backus was transferred to the 4th Signal Company and traveled to Camp Maui, where he joined Company B, 24th Marines shortly after their return from the invasion of Roi-Namur. He was intended to be a replacement for one of the company’s rifle platoons, but somewhere along the line it was discovered that he had a talent for scouting. In March, Backus was transferred a final time to the Headquarters and Service Company of the 24th Marines, joining the Regimental Intelligence (R-2) section as a scout.

Backus saw action on Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima with the 24th Marines. He was honorably discharged as a corporal at the end of the war.

Walter Backus passed away on December 4, 2015. View his obituary here.