Assembly Resolution No. 670

BY: M. of A. Simpson

COMMENDING Sergeant Howard Richard Belden
posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition by the Reverend Francis A.
Kelley Society of Saint Joseph's Church on April 19,
2022

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Sergeant
Howard Richard Belden posthumously upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition by the Reverend Francis A. Kelley Society of
Saint Joseph's Church to be celebrated at a tribute held in his honor on
Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the Korean War Memorial in Albany, New York;
and

WHEREAS, Born to the late James and Ester Belden on February 10,
1931, Sergeant Howard R. Belden enlisted in the United States Army in
1948, and proudly served his country as a rifleman in the Security
Platoon, Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry
Division during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, On December 1, 1950, while defending his position near
Haggaru, North Korea during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, Sergeant
Howard R. Belden was shot in the back by enemy forces and placed in a
truck for evacuation; and

WHEREAS, During this time, the convoy was ambushed by enemy forces
and Sergeant Howard R. Belden was reported as Missing in Action (MIA),
and was officially Presumed Dead on December 31, 1953; and

WHEREAS, Through his exceptional fortitude and valiant fighting
spirit on that fateful day, Sergeant Howard R. Belden upheld the highest
traditions of the United States Army, gallantly giving his life for his
country and serving as an inspiration to all; and

WHEREAS, In July of 2018, after a summit meeting between President
Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, 55 boxes containing the remains of United
States servicemen were turned over to the United States government and
sent to Hawaii for DNA and other analysis; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Howard R. Belden's family was notified of his
identification on October 14, 2021; and

WHEREAS, A resident of the Town of Hague, New York, Sergeant Howard
R. Belden will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full
military honors during the second week of May 2022; and


WHEREAS, For his courageous service during the Korean War, Sergeant
Howard R. Belden was awarded the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster,
the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United
Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean
Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal;
and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Sergeant Howard Richard Belden posthumously upon the occasion of
his designation for special recognition by the Reverend Francis A.
Kelley Society of Saint Joseph's Church on April 19, 2022; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Sergeant Howard Richard Belden.