Lieutenant James F. "Bud" Beldon, Jr.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Wednesday, January 3, 1945
Page 1

SECOND WOUNDS PROVE FATAL TO LT. BELDON

Well Known Seymour Man Had Received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, for War Record

Lieutenant James F. "Bud" Beldon, Jr., husband of Mrs. Martha Keith Beldon, and son of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Beldon, all of this city, died December 13 in a French hospital, of wounds received December 12 while fighting with an infantry division of the First Army. The telegram telling of his death was received Tuesday night by his wife, just five days after she had received a telegram informing her of his serious wounds.

This was the second time Lt. Beldon, age twenty-five, had been wounded sice August of this year, when he was awarded the Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds received while in action in France. At that time, Lt. Beldon had gone on with his company, refused to be hospitalized and returned to the hospital base for treatment only after the attack had been completed.

He also had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "heroic action" and the Infantryman's Combat Medal for "exemplary service in action".

Lt. Beldon, was born October 6, 1919, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of J. Floyd and Charlotte P. Beldon, who survive. When he was three years old, his parents moved to Seymour for residence, and Lt. Beldon, known at "Bud" to his many friends, grew up in Seymour, where his friendly diposition and good nature endeared him to all who knew him. His death comes as a great shock to a host of friends who mourn his passing.

Excelled In Athletics

Lt. Beldon graduated from Shields High School with the class of 1937, and was a popular student, excelling in sports. He was a star basketball, football and track athlete. He attended Indiana University two years, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

He had returned to Seymour and had been working for a year in his father's insurance agency when he entered the army in October 27, 1941. He received his basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, and remained there as a member of the cadre, instructing all departments of infantry detachments until he went to Officer's Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Overseas Since Last May

Receiving his comminsion as second lieutenant on June 12, 1943, he was married three days later to Martha Keith, of this city, who survives. Lt. Beldon and Mrs. Beldon went to Camp Gruber, Okla., where, as a member of the famous 42nd Rainbow Division, he was stationed until May of 1944, when he was sent overseas. Arriving in England in the early part of May, 1944, he was at an officer's replacement center until he was assigned to the infantry division in which he was serving at the time of his death.

Lt. Beldon was a member of the First Methodist Church of this city. He also was a member of the Seymour Elks Lodge and the Seymour Country Club.

Besides the widow and parents, Lt. Beldon is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Harold Miller, at home while her husband is serving in the Pacific area with the U.S. Navy; Mrs. Eugene Sparks of Indianapolis; and Nancy Jane Beldon, at home.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Monday, January 15, 1945
Page 1

Memorial Held For Lt. Beldon

The auditorium of the Firt Methodist Church here was filled to capacity Sunday afternoon as friends of the late Lt. James F. "Bud" Beldon Jr., and his family attended an impressive service in memory of the young army officer who died December 13 in a hospital in France of wounds sustained the day before while fighting with an infantry division of the First Army.

The memorial message was delivered by the Rev. Edwin F. Shake, pastor of the church, of which Lt. Beldon was a member. Also taking part in the service was Chaplain Phillips Brooks Henderson, of Freeman Field. Mrs. Earl C. Parker was organist.

Lt. Beldon, who had received the Purple Heart for previous wounds, had been awarded the Bronze Star medal for heroic action and the Infantryman's Combat Medal for exemplary services in action. He was the husband of Mrs. Martha Keith Beldon, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Beldon, all of this city.