60 years of UN peacekeeping – Ole Helge Bakke – First UN peacekeeper (UNTSO) to die in line of duty – Photograph

Remembering the UN's first hero to die in the line of duty

In his message honouring 60 years of United Nations peacekeeping, Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon said that the "anniversary is an occasion to celebrate, but also to mourn our fallen colleagues."

Over the past six decades, more than two thousand and four hundred men and women have died serving the cause of peace.

"Each one is a hero," said the Secretary-General, and "we recommit ourselves to ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten."

The 23 July 1948 issue of Secretariat News reported that Mr. Ole Helge Bakke was the first United Nations staff member to die in the line of duty.

Secretary-General Trygve Lie had announced on 15 July in a press release (PAL/215) that the "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 13^th