Backes, Roger, 1945-,

Backes (b. 1945) was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. He is an alumnus of Spalding High School and Southern Illinois University. In 1967, after dropping out of college, Backes volunteered for the Army. He served in the Vietnam War as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief with the 116th Assault Helicopter Company. Backes is a veteran of the Tet Offensive and ran countless missions between Saigon, Cu Chi (Vietnam), and the Cambodian border, earning the Air Medal and Valor device. After the war, he settled in Fitchburg, Wisconsin and participated in the Vietnam Veterans of America.

From the description of Oral history interview with Roger Backes, [sound recording], 2005. (Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 368243552