World War II Honoree

Robert Alfred Belet

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Blairstown, New Jersey

Honored By

Edward Eugene Belet

Relationship

Brother

SERVED FROM APRIL 1934 AND KILLED IN ACTION IN GUADALCANAL SEPTEMBER 12, 1942. AMERICAN FORCES LANDED ON GUADALCANAL ON AUGUST 7, 1942. HE WAS IN CHARGE OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE BATTLEFRONT AND GENERAL VANDEGRIFT'S QUARTERS. SEPTEMBER 12 THE JAPANESE TRIED TO RE-INVADE THE ISLAND. COMMUNICATION LINES WERE SEVERED AND HE WENT OUT BY HIMSELF TO REPAIR THEM INSTEAD OF SENDING HIS MEN. A SHELL HIT THE COMMUNICATION CENTER WHERE HE WAS POINT BLANK, THE SHOCK OF THE BLAST FROM THE EXPLOSION KILLED HIM. HE WAS AWARDED THE SILVER STAR FOR VALOR. THE NAVY NAMED A DESTROYER ESCORT AFTER HIM THE USS ROBERT ALFRED BELET. LATER COMMISSIONED THE USS BELET APD-109. AWARDED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH BRONZE STAR AND ARROWHEAD, SILVER STAR, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE IS BURIED IN ARLINGTON CEMETERY.