http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1269856/sailor-killed-during-world-war-ii-accounted-for-backman/

Sailor Killed During World War II Accounted For (Backman)

Aug. 7, 2017 —

Navy Radioman 2nd Class Walter H. Backman, killed during the attack on the USS Oklahoma during World War II, has now been accounted for.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Backman was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Backman.

Interment services are pending; a formal notification will be released 7-10 days prior to scheduled funeral services.

Backman's name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

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https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XeK6EAK

On July 10, 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains of Radioman Second Class Walter Howard Backman, missing from World War II.

Radioman Second Class Backman entered the U.S. Navy from North Dakota and served aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). On December 7, 1941, he was aboard the Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by Japanese forces. The Oklahoma capsized after being struck by multiple torpedoes, and over four hundred sailors and Marines were lost, including RM2 Backman. Following the attack, the remains of some of those who were lost aboard the Oklahoma were recovered, with many buried as "unknowns" at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Hawaii. RM2 Backman was among this group; however, recent forensic efforts were used by DPAA and identified his remains from the cemetery.

Radioman Second Class Backman is memorialized in the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

BACKMAN; WALTER HOWARD
UNITED STATES NAVY
WORLD WAR II
ND
Individual Type Accounted For
Rank RM2
Service Number 3285369
Location Hawaiian Islands
Date of Loss 12/07/1941
Unit USS Oklahoma; UNITED STATES NAVY
https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000XeK6EAK

On July 17, 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains of Radioman Second Class Walter Howard Backman, missing from World War II.

Radioman Second Class Backman entered the U.S. Navy from North Dakota and served aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). On December 7, 1941, he was aboard the Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by Japanese forces. The Oklahoma capsized after being struck by multiple torpedoes, and over four hundred sailors and Marines were lost, including RM2 Backman. Following the attack, the remains of some of those who were lost aboard the Oklahoma were recovered, with many buried as "unknowns" at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Hawaii. RM2 Backman was among this group; however, recent forensic efforts were used by DPAA and identified his remains from the cemetery.

- Radioman Second Class Backman is memorialized in the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Walter H Backman