Staff Sgt Belden was born 1914 in Texas and was killed in action on Thursday, June 15, 1944 during the airborne invasion of Normandy.
Staff Sgt Belden is the son of Nicholas Victor Belden [b.1/1/1890 in New Orleans] a banker and oil company pres. , Nicholas served in WW1 and the son of Henrietta Belden [b.1894 in Texas].
The 1930 US Census for Houston, Harris County, Texas shows William residing at #411 Richmond Ave. with his widowed mother and two sisters Doris A and Mary Louise and grandmother Mary T Belden.
Staff Sgt Belden enlisted in the Army on April 18, 1942 at Houston, Texas. His enlistment records states William had completed high-school was married, was 6‘ tall and weighed 182lbs.
Staff Sgt Belden was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Croix de Guerre Unit Citation [French], the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star and Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, WW II Honorable Service Lapel Button, Parachute Badge.
Staff Sgt Belden is interred at the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France at Plot ‘C’ Row ‘17’ Grave ‘33’.
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