August 7, 1919—March 7, 2010
 
Anderson, SC- Mr. Harry John Belles, age 90, of 218 Ashley Road, husband of the late Ruth Williams Belles, died Sunday, March 7, 2010 at AnMed Health Medical Center.
 
Born in Marlboro, MA, he was a son of the late Emilo Belles and Felicia Castalano Belles. He joined the United States Navy on November 1, 1940 and was commissioned in November 1957. Military locations and stations included: Norton Heights, CT; Miami FL; Dearborn MI; Arlington Hall, VA; Great Lakes, IL and Naval Electronics Lab, San Diego, CA. Mr. Belles served on the USS McKean (APD-5), USS Richard Suesens (DE-342), USS Grand Canyon (AD-28), and on the submarine Baya (SS-318). He retired from the Navy on October 31, 1964 with the rank Chief Warrant Officer (CWO2).
He participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign, Leyte Operation and Okinawa Gunto operations.
Memorable experiences; August 7, 1942, with the invasion of Guadalcanal, on his birthday; the several frightening experiences with the kamikazes off Okinawa and the remnants of the Battle of Midway.
Mr. Belles was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation with the Bronze star, Philippine Liberation with two stars, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
His civilian employment was with Control Data Corp., for 20 years, as an engineer and salesman, where he retired in September of 1988. Harry enjoyed thoroughbred horse racing, his horse, “Masterful Advocate”, ran in the 1987 Kentucky Derby. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
 
Survivors include his daughter, Sandra L. Manzi of Anderson; three grandchildren, Duane Brinson of Key West, FL, Tiffini and Shale Whittingham of Corona, CA, Sunny Distin of Greenbrier, AR; four great-grandchildren, Ryen and Tanner Whittingham and Lacey and Blake Distin; sister, Florence Finlay of Bradenton, FL.
 
In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his son, Everett “Sonny” Belles; brother, Raymond Belles; two sisters, Lucille Ebert and Nancy Christopher.
 
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Friday, March 12, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church officiated by Father Hayden J. Vaverek. Inurnment of his ashes will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
 
The family will be at the residence and will receive friends on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at The McDougald Funeral Home from 6pm-7pm. A Prayer Vigil will begin at 7pm.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WWII Memorial Processing Center, PO Box 305, Calverton, NY 11933.
 
A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.
 
THE McDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME is in charge of the arrangements.