Noah H. Belew

Born August 11, 1926 in Barnesville, Tennessee, Noah was one of six children of George Lonnie Belew and Rettie Mae Hickman Belew. He was a descendent of Revolutionary War veteran Zachariah Belew, and like him, Noah dedicated his life to honorably serving and defending the United States and its freedoms through military service. He engaged also in civil service and journalism, offering his commentary on current political and social issues in the opinion pages of several newspapers every week until his death.

3-year-old Noah atop mule, older brothers Alonzo, Loyd, Claude, father and sister Opal

The Belew family settled east of Leoma, Lawrence County, in the early 1800s. Noah was born and raised on a rocky, hilly farm in the village of Barnesville. He left home at age 14 with only a few dollars in his pockets, which his mother had given him from her earnings selling eggs, milk, and butter. Having changed his birth certificate to make himself older on paper, he traveled to Michigan and was able to obtain a job earning $1.05 per hour with the Firestone Company. He was proud to earn a good wage, especially during the early '40s while the Great Depression was in full force.

He joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 under the command of Col. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller. Noah's first experience in war took place a few days after he had turned 18 when he began his Marine Corps career fighting as a machine gunner in the Battle of Peleliu in the Pacific as a member of the 1st Marine Division during WWII. At times, the temperature on Peleliu was 120 degrees.

Having survived Peleliu, Noah went on to fight in several other battles, including Okinawa. After three years of war, he reunited with his three older brothers, Alonzo, Loyd, and Claude, who had also served in the military (Army, Army Air Corps, and Navy) during World War II. Noah believed that all four brothers survived their many battles of war thanks to God's help. Later, Noah fought again with Chesty Puller and the First Marine Division in the Korean War, confronting Communist North Korea and China.

Noah H. Belew (center)

Noah developed a close relationship with Chesty Puller over the years, viewing him as a father figure, since his own father had passed away just before he joined the Marine Corps. Noah was very touched during his last meeting with Chesty at the latter's Marine Corps retirement party. On that occasion Chesty embraced Noah, and tears fell on the shoulder of his Marine uniform. That evening, Chesty directed his driver to remove the three-star license plate from the front of his car, and then, in a gesture Noah treasured throughout his life, Chesty told his driver to give the license plate to Noah. Noah later gave the plate to Chesty's son. Chesty Puller was prominently influential in Noah's life; Noah commented that Lt. General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller was the bravest person he had ever known. Chesty had no fear. Win at all cost was his motto. Noah said Chesty was a winner, and a lot of Chesty rubbed off on him. He said almost every day he found himself doing things “Chesty's way.”

Noah and Clara's 1948 Marine Corps wedding.

Following WWII, Noah married a beautiful southern belle from North Carolina, Clara Evelyn Jones (now deceased). Their wedding was held at Cherry Point, N.C. They started a family, and Noah was soon called to fight in the Korean War, where he spoke about experiencing extreme weather as the temperature dropped to 20 degrees below zero. It was during the Korean War that Noah began operating a camera during battle. After serving 20 years in the USMC, Noah retired on June 30, 1962. He left Quantico on Friday and began working in New York City as a motion picture filmmaker the following Monday. Noah filmed the first Super Bowl commercial. He went on to film documentaries, and his work received an Academy Award. He filmed President John F. Kennedy in the White House, as well as John Glenn as he became the first American to orbit Earth. He also filmed top secret missions and U.S. presidential visits.

Noah behind the camera with President John F. Kennedy at the White House

Noah remarried and continued to work for 20 years in New York and California. Retiring on his 55th birthday, he would then enjoy nearly four decades in Gulf Breeze, Florida, where he began his third career as a newspaper columnist for the Pensacola News-Journal and the Democrat-Union. He shared political and social opinions, which often created great debates in the letters-to-the-editor pages, including within the Gulf Breeze News. Noah enjoyed stirring up conversation, often saying that he would sometimes write articles for the purpose of igniting debate and action from readers. He believed in the freedom of speech, and he wanted all people to take advantage of their rights. Noah's eclectic career spanned over six decades.

Noah's flags waving in front of his Gulf Breeze, FL home

Noah helped support his mother and father, and he left high school before graduating, but he was determined to earn a college degree. While working full time, he enrolled in college and completed his goal, earning his college degree by the time he was 50. Additionally, he studied for a real estate license and invested in several homes that generated a substantial nest egg. Noah enjoyed fun, and with caring and fun in his heart, he became an official Kentucky Colonel.

Being in nature was his bliss. He spent many hours during retirement planting and growing trees and flowers, and he enjoyed wildlife, especially communing with birds and small critters. His green thumb enabled him to make plants grow and thrive beyond expectations. One of his friends, a clever television writer, once said that Noah's talent for growing was so good, he could “plant a 2x4 and make it grow.” Trees were a constant in Noah's life. He once counted over 100 trees growing in his yard in Gulf Breeze.

Dogs were always important to Noah. He credits a hero dog for saving his life during war. He enjoyed pampering his four-legged pals and taking them on daily walks. Many Pensacola and Gulf Breeze residents would often see Noah driving past with Yorkshire terriers perched near the driver's side window. He prepared fresh chicken daily, exclusively for his pups. Noah's own favorite foods included cornbread and buttermilk and a pot of white Navy beans and ham hocks. He was an expert at making Southern fried chicken. In fact, Noah loved to cook, and he posted recipes on his “Chef Noah” blog.

Noah remained current with technology right up until the end of his life. He maintained several Web sites, including SemperFidelisNoah.com and NoahBelew.com. He enjoyed taking long scenic drives and fun road trips to explore, enjoy, and appreciate our beautiful country. Noah's skills were strong till the end, and he continued to drive his Lincoln Town Car until a few months before his passing. He was proud to have never received a traffic ticket throughout his life, and to have never been stopped by the police.

Noah H. Belew is survived by his three children, Noah Stephen, Bruce Morgan, and Linda Gail; his eight grandchildren, Forrest, Joshua, Rebecca, John Noah, Stephen, Candace, Alex, and Kevin; and 12 great-grandchildren. Tremendously appreciated for his heroic service to the United States of America, Noah will continue to be loved, missed, and forever remembered by thousands here in the U.S. and by his Web site followers throughout the world. Noah's remains will be interred with honor and gratitude for his selfless and brave service to our country at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. God Bless Noah. (Thank you Gulf Breeze News for Tweeting about Noah: Twitter.com/GulfBreezeNews)