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

Paris Goes To War

War came Paris, Texas on December 7, 1941. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent declarations of war of the Axis countries of Japan, Germany and Italy against The United States brought World War II literally to the doorsteps of Paris.

The U.S. response to war hit Paris like a tidal wave and the results were everlasting.

This small East Texas town responded as hundreds of small towns across America did. Its sons, daughters and citizens joined the war effort.

But Paris began to develop its own uniqueness with the opening of Camp Maxey just a few miles north of the city limits in 1942. Two major divisions, the 102d Infantry Division and the 99th Infantry Division, trained there. It is estimated that over 200,000 troops and civilians trained and worked at Camp Maxey during its short 4 years of existance.

Camp Maxey was also selected as a site, as were many other training camp sites in Texas, to house German prisoners-of-war. More than 6,000 Germans were hosted there until well after the last shots of anger were fired in Europe in 1945.

Paris, as was the whole country, was like a stirred pot. The young men and women who came to Camp Maxey to train spent their leaves in town. Many of them met, courted, and married local men and women. Likewise, Paris sons and daughters who left were meeting their future spouses. The long historic ties that had held Paris together as a tight community were stretched around the world.

To and from Paris the letters streamed in and out from friends and families: from the battle fronts, from far-away hometowns, from Washington D.C., to Europe, to The Pacific and literally all points of the globe.

Sad news of soldiers being killed, exciting news of the birth of a new baby, common news about town gossip all swirlled around this small town of Paris. Paris was making its contribution to march the country toward victory.

In 1941 Paris Goes To War.

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Wednesday, August 11, 2021

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

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

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Admiral James Otto Richardson

Hundreds of Pearl Harbor publications tell the story of the attack, but few reveal the conflicts during the first few months the Fleet was stationed at Hawaii. A new book by Skipper Steely is a view of the man in charge at the time, his background and career. Released by Pelican Publishing House, this is an important historical account of James Otto Richardson who was born in Paris, Texas on September 18, 1878. In June 1939, Richardson to sea as Commander, Battle Force, U.S. Fleet, with the temporary rank of Admiral. Beginning in January 1940, he was Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, holding that position during a stressful period marked by the fleet's forward deployment to Pearl Harbor. Relieved by Admiral Husband E. Kimmel in February 1941, he served at the Navy Department into 1942. Transferred to the Retired List with the rank of Admiral in October 1942, he remained on active service with the Navy Relief Society, as Senior Member of a "Special Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee" on the reorganization of the National Defense, and as a witness before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. Released from active duty in January 1947, he thereafter resided in Washington, D.C.

Camp Maxey & Paris Goes To War

You are invited to post a family story about Paris Goes To War on this blog. A web page on Paris Goes To War is being developed and will be appearing soon.

If you or one of your relatives were touched in any measure by Paris, Lamar County or Camp Maxey, please contribute.

If you were a member of the Texas National Guard, the 36th Infantry Division, the 102d Infantry Division, the 99th Infantry Division, were assigned to Camp Maxey for training, a civilian employee of Camp Maxey or associated with any war effort invloving Paris, please contribute.

If you have a story invloving Paris or Camp Maxey, your contribution is appreciated.

Paris Goes To War

Paris Goes To War

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Wednesday, August 11, 2021

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

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