Howard Richard Belden was a United States Army soldier who went missing in action during the Korean War on December 1, 1950. On July 27, 2018, his remains were returned to the United States and identified on October 14, 2021.
Biography[]
Howard Belden was born on February 10, 1931, in Hague, New York. At some point in his life, he joined the United States Army, rising through the ranks to become a Sergeant and rifleman of Security Platoon, Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
The 7th Infantry Division took part in the Battle of Inchon, AKA the Inchon Landing, between September 10 and September 19, 1950. Inchon was invaded and taken over by forces from the United States and South Korea. This battle was a strategic victory for the United Nations Command that turned the tide of the war in their favor. Howard likely participated in this battle, but details of his participation are unknown.
Howard's unit took part in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Between November 27 and December 13, 1950, the North Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army recovered northeastern Korea and caused the UNC to retreat. In the ensuing chaos, Howard was shot in the back while defending his position near Haggaru, North Korea. He was placed in a truck for evacuation. The convoy was ambushed, and Howard disappeared afterwards. Over 17,000 United Nations soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing, and between 49,000 and 60,000 Chinese soldiers were killed or wounded.
Aftermath[]
Howard was not among the prisoners of war or identified remains recovered when the Korean War ended on July 27, 1953. He was declared dead on December 31, 1953.
Howard was posthumously awarded the following awards: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Additionally, he was memorialized in Court 4 of the Honolulu Memorial Courts of the Missing in Honolulu, Hawaii and the National Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Identification[]
On July 27, 2018, following a US and North Korea joint-summit between President Donald Trump and Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un the month before, the North Korean government returned 55 boxes of unknown US soldiers to US custody. They arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on August 1, 2018. Scientists at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis to identify the remains.
Based on these DNA analysis techniques and historical evidence, Howard Richard Belden's remains were identified on October 14, 2021. The identification was announced on November 17, 2021. He will be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined.