Raymond Charles Belair

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that PFC Belair was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
Yes Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

WWII Draft Card Data
Raymond Charles Belair
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 21
Birth Date: August 20, 1920  -  Birth Place: Tacoma, Washington
Residence Place: Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Registration Date: February 14, 1942  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Unemployed
Weight: Not Listed, Height: Not Listed
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Blue  -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: E J Belair
Members of Household: Raymond Charles Belair, Self
E J Belair, Father

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: Raymond C. Belair
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: Not Listed
Birth Date: abt 1920
Admission Date: July 1944
Discharge Date: July 1944
Military Branch: Infantry, Parachute Troops or Units
Diagnosis:
  Causative Agent: None or Unknown
Type of Injury: Casualty, battle
Injured in Line of Duty: In line of duty
Type of Discharge: Died
Service Number: 39195406

Note 1: The death location, "In France" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of PFC Belair, this location was estimated on:

A. His Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623, identifies his assigned unit as the 508th Parachute Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

B. At the time PFC Belair was Killed In Action the 82nd Airborne Division was conducting combat operations in France during July 1944.

C. Hospital Admission Records indicate that PFC Belair died on July 4, 1944, Causative Agent: "None or Unknown," Type of Injury: "Casualty, battle."

D. Further information on the 508th Parachute Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division can be found at the Wikipedia sites 82nd Airborne Division.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

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