| Notes |
- http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSmcid=46988653&GRid=25490698&
See more at:
http://www.laffey.org/htcm_ernest_e_belk_navy_record.htm
http://www.laffey.org
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Born 5 November 1924 in Nashville, Davidson County, TN, to 26 year old Hallie Johnson, an unmarried laundry worker from Kentucky (her second child), Ernest was originally named Roy Thomas Johnson. Left in the care of the Nashville Maternity Hospital by his mother "for the purpose of securing for him a good home", the boy was placed in the care of Joseph and Margaret Belk on 11 May 1925. On 27 August 1925, the Belk's formally adopted the boy and changed his name to Ernest Everett Belk.
7 April 1930 census of Nashville, Davidson County, TN found the Belk family living at 1007 Acklen Ave. They had adopted a son and daughter. They indicated that they had been married 24 years. Also in the household was Maggie's widowed father, Charles Matthews:
Joseph A. Belk 56 TN TN TN Pilot - Steamboat
Maggie A. 44 MO ME MO
Gloria A. 6 TN TN US adopted daughter
Ernest E. 5 TN US US adopted son
Charles G. Matthews 83 ME ME ME father-in-law
9 April 1940 census of Davidson Coiunty, TN, found Ernest Belk as an inmate of the Tennessee Industrial School on Foster Avenue near the Murfreesboro Pike:
Ernest Belk 15 TN - Inmate, Completed 5 years of education
Ernest and Mary Lynn Belk divorced 1 May 1952 in Davidson County, TN. Ernest later married Geneva G. Lang on 1 Dec 1961 in Meridian, Lauderdale County, MS. Geneva had divorced her previous husband, Lyle Dalton Lang, on 5 March 1956 in Lauderdale County, MS.
Geneva and Ernest Belk were divorced 11 Feb 1966 in San Diego County, CA.
Ernest Belk retired from the US Navy as a Senior Master Chief, having enlisted on 24 Nov 1941. His ashes were scattered at sea by his wife (from an airplane) near Oceano, San Luis Obispo County, CA. A memorial headstone honoring his military service is located at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA.
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Obituary - ERNEST BELK
Master Chief Ernest E. Belk, United States Navy, retired, of Oceano died Friday, Dec. 10, 1999, at his home at age 75.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Open Door Church in Oceano, the Rev. Bob Banker officiating. His ashes will be scattered at sea from a plane. A bronze plaque will be placed at Veterans Cemetery at Point Loma, San Diego.
Born Nov. 5, 1924, in Nashville, Tenn., Mr. Belk joined the Navy in 1941, going aboard the USS Tucker in December 1941. He fought in many theaters of the war in the South Pacific and served on the Laffey, a ship that was sunk to the water line but made it home to Seattle to be repaired and returned to duty (Laffey.org). He was also involved in the invasions of Sicily, Palermo and D-Day. After many more battles in the European Theater, his ship returned to the Pacific Theater and engaged in battles from Australia to Alaska, earning Mr. Belk many medals and commendations.
Also serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, he earned more medals and other honors. As a shipfitter chief of the Navy, he received O.O.D. qualifications and, therefore, could take command of any ship at any time, his family says.
After leaving the Navy, he served with the military sealift command in Panama, Indonesia, Alaska and other Pacific areas and again won commendations. After retiring to his home in Oceano, he worked as an engineer at Arroyo Grande and valley hospitals, winning awards at both.
Mr. Belk enjoyed flying and belonged to three flying clubs.
He is survived by his wife, Nettie; daughter Judy of San Jose; son Michael of Hawaii; granddaughters Michelle Roberts and husband Kevin, Gloria Cox and husband Robert, Dianna Miller, Catherine Miller and Jane Tenopir; a sister, Gloria Traughber and husband Billie; great-grandchildren Chris, Chase and Courtney Roberts and Jason and Kevin Dhuyvetter and Jacob Cox; many nieces and nephews; and friend and adopted brother, Bill Senna and his wife, Sherwin, of Oceano.
Memorials may be made to Oceano Depot, P.O. Box 535, Oceano, CA 93445; or to Open Door Church, P.O. Box 693, Oceano, CA 93445.
Arrangements are by Lady Family Mortuary in Arroyo Grande.
[The Tribune, Thursday, January 13, 2000]
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Ernest Belk - U.S. Navy Service Record
Entered the US Navy immediately after his 17th birthday on 5 Nov 1941. Enlisted in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.
Sent to Naval Training Command where he graduated 5 Dec 1941.
Sent to Treasure Island Naval Station in San Francisco, California, to await ship, USS Tucker (DD-374), which had been in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, and came to Treasure Island to strip the ship and pick up sailors.
After 3 days aboard the USS Tucker, the ship sailed to escort the fully-loaded oil tanker USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) to Long Beach, California. While in the breakwater at Long Beach, the ship discovered and sank an enemy submarine. This was his first battle encounter while serving as pointer on gun #52.
After an overnight stay in Long Beach, the USS Tucker sailed unaccompanied to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They had no great difficulties; however, upon entering Pearl Harbor, they sighted a torpedo coming between the ship and its screws.
Shortly thereafter, the USS Tucker sailed in a convoy to New Zealand and the South Pacific. They continued to escort convoys of supplies to the South Pacific atolls, etc., and participated in the Battle of the Solomons.
During the winter of 1942, the USS Tucker hit a mine or took a torpedo and sank outside of Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. After a few hours in the water, he was picked up by a mine sweeper and taken to Espiritu Santo.
He caught a ride on a merchant ship, trying to get back to the States, and was finally returned to San Diego, California, by the USS Long Island. (CVE-1). He enjoyed 30 days survivors leave before traveling to Norfolk, Virginia, for training.
He was assigned to the USS Nelson (DD-623) and started for the Mediterranean arena. One week later he was transferred to the Elizabeth C. Stanton (AP-69) where he underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis. He returned to the USS Nelson at his own demand shortly thereafter, before he had healed, where he participated in the first operation of the Mediterranean invasion of Palermo, Sicily. He served as a Quartermaster Striker in the First Division, Secondary Con.
Upon his return to New York, he was transferred to the USS Laffey (DD-459) where he served as a Quartermaster Striker and then Boat Coxswain during the invasion of Normandy in August 1944. During that time, he saw his first ship, the USS Nelson, nearly sink right in front of the USS Laffey.
After Germany surrendered, the USS Laffey was ordered to the South Pacific arena where they first encountered Japanese Kamikaze planes which they managed to evade. They participated in the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines and received a Presidential Citation for their service. During that major battle, he was transferred from the #21 gun to the #22 gun and, less than 5 minutes later, the #21 gun was hit and wiped out.
Badly damaged, the USS Laffey sank to the water line. The crew managed to pump the water out and the ship sailed to Anawetok Island for patches and then sailed to Seattle, Washington, for major repairs. (see www.laffey.org for more details)
After the war ended in August 1945, the USS Laffey sailed to San Diego, California, where he was discharged.
Ernie then returned to his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, where he became a licensed plumber, although he still served in the Navy Reserves.
In 1955 he rejoined the US Navy and was sent to Alaska where he served on a crash crew with a Fireman rating. That's where he first became involved in ship repairs.
In June 1959, he was assigned as a SF 3rd aboard the USS Collett (DD-730) which was sent to participate in the Bikini Island nuclear tests. The ship then went on to Australia where Ernie first became a "Shell-Back" by crossing the equator.
In August 1959, he returned to San Diego, California, where he was a student in the USNS schools.
In December 1959 he was assigned to the USS Hammerberg (DE-1025) where he served as the ships photographer. The USS Hammerberg participated on Operation Handclasp and became the first American combat ship to transit the Straits of Magellan while they operated with the South American naval forces.
In January 1961, he was transferred to the USS John Willis (DE-1027) where he again traveled to South America to participate in Operation Unitas.
In August 1961 he was transferred to NAAS Meridian, Mississippi, where he was in charge of the crash crew.
In February 1964 he was transferred to the USS Robison (DDG-12) during which time the ship escorted naval patrols in the Formosa Straits.
In March 1965 he was returned to the US Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, for knee surgery. He was discharged from the hospital in June 1965.
In July 1965 he was assigned to welding school at USNS San Diego.
In March 1966 he was assigned to the USS Bradley (DE-1041) where he served as a Ship Fitter. Chief with OOD qualifications.
In August 1970 he was transferred to the US Navy Electronics Laboratory in San Diego, California, as a Research Assistant (NAVPERSTRARSCHLAB) to help develop training manuals. He made several trips to the Pentagon and the East Coast while doing research and development on the Hull Technician Manual and revamped the manual on engineering qualifications. He also learned computer key punch technology.
In Jan 1973 he was assigned to the USS Beaufort (ATS-2) based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where served until his retirement from the Navy in September 1975. The USS Beaufort was the only ship he ever served on where he did not earn any awards.
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US Navy Schools Attended:
4 May 1956: Member US Naval Institute
29 Sep 1957 to 1 Nov 1957: Metal Smith
6 Nov 1957: Elementary Welding
22 Aug 1959 to 20 Sep 1955: Structural Firefighting
8 Oct 1961: Pressure Chamber and Ejection Seat Training
11 May 1962: Petty Officers Leadership
4 Oct 1962: Blue Print Reading and Sketching
19 Nov 1963: Military Requirements
11 Dec 1963: Ship Fitter 1 and C
1 Nov 1965: Intermediate Welding
24 Nov 1965: Class 2 Welding
28 Sept 1967: Advanced Welding
4 Mar 1968: Navy Regulations
1 Feb 1969: Enlisted Counselors School
7 May 1972: Military Justice
July to Aug 1972: Studied "Psychology" at San Diego State University
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1924 - 1999 (75 years)
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