Brian J. Backus
Private First Class, United States Army
February 14, 1990 – June 18, 2011
Age – 21
Harbor Beach, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
Blackhawk Company, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Ft. Drum, NY
Killed when his patrol unit was ambushed.
Brian grew up in Harbor Beach and graduated from high school in 2008. In 2010 Brian joined the US Army and became a Combat Medic.
Brian was a true outdoorsman; he loved hiking, backpacking, and canoeing. He also enjoyed running and his music. Brian was a Boy Scout and an Eagle Scout and was a member of the United Methodist Church of Harbor Beach. Brian loved his son, Jack, and dog, Danger, very much. He enjoyed serving in the US Army and helping his fellow soldiers as a combat medic.
On June 18, 2011, during a patrol in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, the patrol was ambushed. Seven soldiers, including “Doc” Backus, were injured during the attack. Brian refused to give instructions on how to treat himself until his 6 injured soldiers were treated. Once his fellow soldiers were stabilized, only then did “Doc” start to explain how to treat his injuries. Unfortunately, his injuries were too severe to allow his life to be saved. All 6 of the treated soldiers survived. Brian was 21 years old when he was killed in action. He will always be a hero to the men of Blackhawk Company.