Palestine question – UN guard killed in Palestine – Press release

UNITED NATIONS

Department of Public Information

Press and Publications Bureau

Lake Success, New York

Press Release PAL/215

15 July 1948

UN GUARD, OLE BAKKE OF NORWAY, KILLED IN PALESTINE

Secretary-General Trygve Lie announced today that he had received the following telegram from Colonel Nils Brunsson, one of the Swedish control officers on Count Bernadotte's staff in Palestine:

"OLE HELGE BAKKE, NORWEGIAN SUBJECT AND MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS GUARD DETACHMENT ON MOUNT SCOPUS WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON THE ROAD TO MOUNT SCOPUS AT 13:20 G.M.T., JULY 13th.

TEMPORARY BURIAL WILL BE ON MOUNT SCOPUS.  FULL DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.  PLEASE CONVEY TO FAMILY DEEPEST SYMPATHY MYSELF AND COLLEAGUES.

COLONEL BRUNSSON."

Ole Helge Bakke, a Norwegian subject, joined the staff of the United Nations at Headquarters on 4 November 1946 as chauffeur in its local transportation service.  He was born at Ringsaker, Norway, on 13 February 1919.  Before accepting employment with the United Nations, Ole Bakke lived at Halden, Norway.

He was married to Ellen Simonsen on 14 February 1948 in the Norwegian Seamen's Church at Brooklyn, N.Y.  Also surviving Ole Bakke is his mother, Mrs. Marit Bakke of Halden, Norway.  His address in the United States was 5409 – 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Bakke's life was insured by the United Nations for $25,000, which will be paid to his widow.  The United Nations will also pay the expenses of returning his body to New York and any other additional expenses.

The United Nations flag at Lake Success will fly at half-mast today in Ole Bakke's honor.

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