World War II Honoree

Henry A. Belback

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Duquesne, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Patricia Panasiuk & Bernardine Swiech

Relationship

Nieces

PRIVATE 1ST CLASS, SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY FROM 1943 TO 1945, AFTER RECEIVING HIS TRAINING AT CAMP WHEELER, GEORGIA FOR 13 WEEKS. BEFORE SAILING TO LE HAVRE, FRANCE ON THE SAN ROSA, HE JOINED THE 104TH INFANTRY (TIMBERWOLF) DIVISION, 415TH INFANTRY. HE WAS SOON TRANSFERRED TO THE 87TH CHEMICAL MORTAR 4.2 AS A FORWARD OBSERVER, ATTACHED TO THE 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 9TH ARMIES. HE WENT TO ENGLAND WHEN THE WAR ENDED, AND RETURNED ABOARD THE QUEEN MARY TO CAMP SHANKS, NEW YORK. HE WAS IN FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA PREPARING TO GO TO JAPAN WHEN THE JAPANESE SURRENDERED AND THE 87TH CHEMICAL MORTAR WAS DISBANDED. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE 3RD CAVALRY 'BRAVE RIFLES' AT FORT MEADE, MARYLAND AND INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA BEFORE HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED. SERVICE DECORATIONS INCLUDE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON, ONE STAR FOR MAJOR BATTLE, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, FRENCH CITATION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.