Robert A. Belet

Robert A. Belet (1914–1942) was a United States Marine Corps master technical sergeant who received a Silver Star for his actions in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II.

Biography

Robert Alfred Belet was born on 6 August 1914 at Blairstown, New Jersey.^[1] He first enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1937 at New York City and then reenlisted on 22 January 1941. Belet served at Parris Island, South Carolina; Quantico, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; and New River, North Carolina, before moving to the Pacific combat zone on 19 June 1942.

As a member of the 1st Signal Company, 1st Marine Division, in the Solomon Islands, Master Technical Sergeant Belet was at Guadalcanal on the night of 9 and 10 August 1942, during operations against Japanese forces. Without regard for his own safety, Belet supervised the repair of a communications wire in the face of persistent Japanese fire. His courageous leadership contributed to the restoration of the vital communication circuit.

Master Technical Sergeant Belet was later killed in action at Guadalcanal on 12 September 1942.

Awards

For this action in supervising the repair of the communications wire on 9–10 August 1942, Belet was awarded the Silver Star.

Namesakes

The United States Navy destroyer escort USS Belet (DE-599) was named for Master Technical Sergeant Belet. She was converted during construction into the high-speed transport USS Belet (APD-109), and was in commission as such from 1945 to 1946.

Master Technical Sergeant Belet is the uncle of musician and professor, Dr. Brian Belet. He is also the great-uncle of Dr. Belet's son, Jacques Bickett-Belet, who is also an accomplished musician in the San Jose area with his popular reggae band, Aivar .

Two of Master Technical Sergeant Belet's great-nephews have also served in the United States Marine Corps: Sgt Andrew Belet and his brother, 2nd Lt Daniel Belet. Sgt Andrew Belet is military writer who has published two war memoirs: Mountain Man and Another Shade of Green.

References

Notes

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.