Sergeant Lee Arthur Belas, A Soldier's Story
Sergeant Lee Arthur Belas, A Soldier's Story
Sergeant Lee Arthur Belas was born on May 7, 1968, in Port Orchard, Washington. A graduate of South Kitsap High School, he was recognized early for his intellectual curiosity and exceptional language aptitude.
A gifted linguist, Belas studied French, German, Russian, Dutch, and Latin, and at the time of his enlistment was actively learning Arabic. His long-term goal extended beyond military service; he hoped to one day work for the United States State Department as an ambassador, using language and diplomacy to bridge cultures and resolve conflict.
On October 14, 1987, Belas enlisted in the United States Army, choosing to serve during a period of rising global tension. In the fall of 1990, he deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War.
On February 27, 1991, during combat operations near the end of the war, the helicopter in which Sergeant Belas was traveling was shot down over Iraq. He was killed in action at the age of twenty-two.
Sergeant Lee Arthur Belas is buried at Sunset Lane Memorial Park, returned to the community that shaped his early life.
His story is one of uncommon promise, of a young man who believed in service, learning, and diplomacy, and whose life ended before those ambitions could fully unfold. Remembering him is an acknowledgment not only of sacrifice, but of the futures that war leaves unfinished.
*See Also Warrant Officer John K. "Jack" Morgan____________________________________________________________________
About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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