In Memory of PFC Raymond J Belanger, 405th Infantry Regiment, 102d Infantry Division, KIA, Buried In The Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten

REMEMBERED

Raymond J Belanger is buried or memorialized at Plot A Row 19 Grave 19, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.

In battle he moved fearlessly over no-mans land administrating first aid to his comrades, although constantly under sniper fire. He was fatally wounded by machine gun fire while performing his duty as a combat medic.

COMMENDATIONS

★  World War II Victory Medal

★  Silver Star

★  Purple Heart

★  Marksmanship Badge

★  Combat Medical Badge

★  American Campaign Medal

★  Army Presidential Unit Citation

★  Army Good Conduct Medal

★  European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign

Article below published in the Waterton Daily Times 

Massena veteran remembers childhood friend who was killed in action in World War II

© Copyright 2021 NNY360, 260 Washington Street Watertown, NY

By BOB BECKSTEAD
bbeckstead@wdt.net
Aug 6, 2021

 MASSENA — While village of Massena officials continue their efforts to demolish an East Orvis Street building that was gutted in a November 2016 fire, Massena veteran Roy Mittiga wants to remember a friend and someone he considers a hero who grew up at the address.

 In a small, but meaningful ceremony with Mr. Mittiga and Steve Boutot on hand, members of the Amvets Post 4 Rifle Squad fired off a series of volleys at 104 East Orvis St. to recognize Raymond J. Belanger.

“Every time I go by this house my memories flash back. He deserved some sort of tribute,” Mr. Mittiga said.

Mr. Belanger was born on April 2, 1925 in Valleyfield, Quebec and moved to Massena when he was 2 years old. He attended local schools and worked at the plant before joining the U.S. Army.

 “We went to school together. He was a fine boy in school. I quit school. I never graduated, but he went in the Army in 1943 after school. I ended up in the medics and he was a medic, but we were friends in school,” said Mr. Mittiga, who was a member of a medical battalion that was part of the 3rd Army, Gen. George Patton’s Army, tending to the medical needs of soldiers. He said his unit took care of 100,000 individuals.

 “As soon as they came off the battlefield, they came to us. We took care of them and classified them. If they needed surgery we sent them to the surgical hospital. We were the first unit in the 3rd Army to get the Presidential Citation because we took care of so many,” he said.

Mr. Belanger, who held the rank of private first class, was a medic with the 102nd Infantry Division, 405th Infantry Regiment.

 

"He died with the 102nd Infantry Division on the battlefield aiding the wounded under fire,” Mr. Mittiga said.

He had been fatally wounded by machine gun fire on Nov. 23, 1944, Thanksgiving Day, while performing his duties as a combat medic. He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands.

His commendations included the Silver Star, World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, Marksmanship Badge, Combat Medical Badge, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

The Silver Star Medal is the United States Armed Forces’ third-highest military decoration for valor in combat.

The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

Mr. Mittiga thanked the members of the Amvets Post 4 Rifle Squad for helping to remember his friend.

 “That house still means something to me. I appreciate the Amvets and what they did,” he said.

“We’re very honored. Thank you for asking us,” said Amvets Post 4 Rifle Squad Commander Fred Cockayne, who presented Mr. Mittiga with shells from the ceremony as a remembrance.

SERVICE OVERVIEW

Name	Raymond J Belanger
From	St Lawrence County, New York
Born	April 2, 1925
Death	November 23, 1944
War	World War II
ID	32940999
Rank	Private First Class
Specialty	Medic
Branch	US Army
Group	102nd Infantry Division, 405th Infantry Regiment
Cause	Hostile, Killed in Action

 

In Memory of Charles "Chuck" V. Stephenson II. 102d Infantry Division. Wounded in action.

Asheville - Charles V. (Chuck) Stephenson died July 25, 2021. He was born in Centerville, TN, October 1, 1924, to the late Claude B. and Carleen P. Stephenson. He spent his childhood in Centerville, where his father was a lawyer. He played high school football (offense and defense), and was president of his senior class. He enjoyed reading, woodworking, walking, gardening, and listening to music.

After his freshman year at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville he enlisted in the Army, serving in the 102nd Infantry Division. He was wounded in 1944 in Germany. After returning from the war, he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in Physics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

While in Nashville, he met Luellen (Lue) Hovey, an artist at the Baptist Sunday School Board. They were married in Birmingham, AL in 1948. He went to graduate school at the University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt, earning a Ph.D. in Physics from Vanderbilt in 1952. They moved to Albuquerque, NM, where he worked at Sandia National Laboratory, doing research in the then-new field of solid-state physics.

In 1956 the family moved from Albuquerque to Auburn, AL, where he worked as a professor in the Physics Department at Auburn University and was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

They moved to Birmingham, AL, where he worked at Southern Research Institute, and then in 1962 back to Nashville, TN, where he joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University. He was a teacher beloved by his students, and rose to become chair of the Electrical Engineering Department. His wife Lue became active at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, first as a volunteer and later as Director of Recreational Therapy. They served as Elders of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and took the family on summer vacations camping in Tennessee state parks.

After retiring, Chuck and Lue became volunteers for Room at the Inn and Habitat for Humanity. In 1999, they moved to Montreat, NC, and later to Givens Estates in Asheville, NC. They belonged to Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church and volunteered at Mission Hospital.

In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his wife, Luellen, his brothers Claude Jr. and Tom, and sister Carolyn. He is survived by his children: Dr. Charles Bruce Stephenson (Dr. Marija Norusis), Dr. Frances Luellen Lightsom, and Dr. Gregory Brian Stephenson (Dr. Carol Thompson); his grandchildren: Dr. Calvin Francis Hotchkiss and Samuel Stephenson Hotchkiss; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Norma F. Pulliam Chapel at Givens Estates in the near future. The family will schedule the service as changing COVID protocols and restrictions allow. Please monitor Chuck's obituary page at grocefuneralhome.com for the most updated information. Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, or Homeward Bound.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.