Merle Edward "Bud" Backes, 36, a former Glenburn resident was killed August 17, 1965, while bailing out of his stricken US Navy aircraft while flying over Stockton, California. The engines on the jet aircraft in which he and another pilot were flying quit firing. After turning the plane away from populated areas, both men ejected and the plane crashed in an open area. Bud was killed when he hit the plane's canopy during ejection while his co-pilot ejected safely.
Bud was born August 16, 1929, to Leonard and Irene (Keller) Backes of Glenburn. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Glenburn, graduating from high school in 1947. He attended Washington State University for two years and Minot State College for one year, then enlisted in the United States Navy in their flight training program. He was on active duty with the US Navy for 13 years as a pilot and most currently was on Naval Reserve duty. He also worked for Trans World Airlines as a first officer. At the time of his death he was an aerial photographer and resided in Los Angeles.
Surviving are his two young daughters, Cathy and Jane of Los Angeles; his parents; one sister, Estelle Hohman; and three brothers, Richard, Orlin and Roger.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold, who was also killed in a Navy plane crash.
Bud was born August 16, 1929, to Leonard and Irene (Keller) Backes of Glenburn. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Glenburn, graduating from high school in 1947. He attended Washington State University for two years and Minot State College for one year, then enlisted in the United States Navy in their flight training program. He was on active duty with the US Navy for 13 years as a pilot and most currently was on Naval Reserve duty. He also worked for Trans World Airlines as a first officer. At the time of his death he was an aerial photographer and resided in Los Angeles.
Surviving are his two young daughters, Cathy and Jane of Los Angeles; his parents; one sister, Estelle Hohman; and three brothers, Richard, Orlin and Roger.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold, who was also killed in a Navy plane crash.
Merle Edward "Bud" Backes, 36, a former Glenburn resident was killed August 17, 1965, while bailing out of his stricken US Navy aircraft while flying over Stockton, California. The engines on the jet aircraft in which he and another pilot were flying quit firing. After turning the plane away from populated areas, both men ejected and the plane crashed in an open area. Bud was killed when he hit the plane's canopy during ejection while his co-pilot ejected safely.
Bud was born August 16, 1929, to Leonard and Irene (Keller) Backes of Glenburn. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Glenburn, graduating from high school in 1947. He attended Washington State University for two years and Minot State College for one year, then enlisted in the United States Navy in their flight training program. He was on active duty with the US Navy for 13 years as a pilot and most currently was on Naval Reserve duty. He also worked for Trans World Airlines as a first officer. At the time of his death he was an aerial photographer and resided in Los Angeles.
Surviving are his two young daughters, Cathy and Jane of Los Angeles; his parents; one sister, Estelle Hohman; and three brothers, Richard, Orlin and Roger.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold, who was also killed in a Navy plane crash.
Bud was born August 16, 1929, to Leonard and Irene (Keller) Backes of Glenburn. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Glenburn, graduating from high school in 1947. He attended Washington State University for two years and Minot State College for one year, then enlisted in the United States Navy in their flight training program. He was on active duty with the US Navy for 13 years as a pilot and most currently was on Naval Reserve duty. He also worked for Trans World Airlines as a first officer. At the time of his death he was an aerial photographer and resided in Los Angeles.
Surviving are his two young daughters, Cathy and Jane of Los Angeles; his parents; one sister, Estelle Hohman; and three brothers, Richard, Orlin and Roger.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold, who was also killed in a Navy plane crash.
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
