Durbin to Honor Local WWII Veteran in Military Medals Award Ceremony at JJC Sept. 9
Lockport native and U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Joe Belman will be honored by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s office in a military medals award ceremony at the Joliet Junior College (JJC) Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet on Sept. 9.
Belman, 85, a World War II veteran, never received certain medals he earned during 35 combat missions as a ball turret gunner for the 8th Air Force – 305th Bomb Group. Belman’s story was also recently recorded by the JJC Media Services Office as part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. A segment of this video will be shown at the ceremony.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, begins in the Main Campus Fine Arts Theatre at 9:30 a.m. and is sponsored by the JJC Office of the President and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
For more information, contact Sal Valadez at (815) 280-2829.
Sir
I have just read the article on Joseph Bellman. As UK representative of the US based 305th Bomb Group Memorial Association, I wonder whether Mr Bellman is aware that the 305th, his former wartime group, has a veterans association? Active since 1976, holding annual reunions, newsletter each year, and active in keeping alive the history of those that flew in the 305th from England in WW2.
I would be appreciative if our details could be passed to Mr Bellman.
Thank you
Ian White-305th UK Contact