Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Frederick C. Belen Papers
UA.10.3.142
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Belen, Frederick C., 1913-1999
- Creator
- Hoover, J. Edgar, (John Edgar), 1895-1972
- Creator
- Humphrey, Hubert H., (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978
- Creator
- Kennedy, Robert F., 1925-1968
- Creator
- Kennedy, Theodore R., 1936-
- Creator
- Reagan, Ronald
- Creator
- Williams, G. Mennen, 1911-1988
- Title
- Frederick C. Belen papers
- ID
- UA.10.3.142
- Date [inclusive]
- 1942-1969
- Extent
- 1.5 Cubic feet
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan."
Biographical Note
Frederick Christopher Belen was born on December 25, 1913 to Christopher and Elizabeth Belen of Lansing, Michigan. He attended Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) and graduated in 1937. He earned a doctor of law degree at George Washington University in 1942. During World War II, Belen served as an officer in the Army Transportation Corps. According to his separation record, Belen "was Deputy Chief, Intelligence and Security Division, Office Chief of Transportation, with responsibility of fire protection, police functions, criminal and intelligence investigations, and intelligence activities at ports of embarkation. Was Security Officer, and Summary Court Officer for the Pentagon (Army Headquarters) Washington, DC."
Belen served as Deputy Postmaster General of the United States from 1964 to 1969. He helped automate mail processing and delivery, established regional distribution centers, and the five-digit ZIP code. In 1962, Belen was awarded a Benjamin Franklin Award for exceptional leadership for being the chief architect of the ZIP code system. Belen married Opal Marie Sheets and had a son, Frederick C., Jr. Belen passed away on October 13, 1999.
Scope and Contents note
The Frederick C. Belen papers contain photographs related to Belen's career. Images include scenes of Belen with people and groups, including giving speeches, presenting gifts to dignitaries, and on tours. There are also photographs of groups without Belen, and of Belen's office. There are photographs of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Hubert Humphrey, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy and W. Marvin Watson. Other images include mail trucks with logos on them about the new use of ZIP codes.
The correspondence includes letters and cards from well-known politicians such as G. Mennen Williams, Ted Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Robert Byrd, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., J. Edgar Hoover, Ronald Reagan, and Robert Kennedy. Materials from Belen's service during World War II include personal history, promotion letters, pay, leave, and his orders. The "Personal" folder consists of a variety of materials, such as correspondence from relatives and colleagues, reports from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities, Shipley Terrace Citizens Association bylaws and constitutions, Veterans Administration correspondence, and Belen's law school grades.
Please note that the folder titles are the same used by the creator. The archivist provided fuller forms of names, rather than the abbreviations provided by Belen.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections August 2013
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Revision Description
February 2015
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status
Copyright: Michigan State University. Property Rights: Michigan State University.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University. Researchers must also request permission from the copyright holder when copyright is not held by Michigan State University.
Custodial History
Transferred by Michigan State University Special Collections Library.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Michigan State College.
- Michigan State University. Class of 1937.
- United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-American Activites.
- United States. Post Office Department.
Genre(s)
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Letters (correspondence)
- Memorandums
- Photographs
Personal Name(s)
- Belen, Frederick C., 1913-1999
- Eisenhower, Dwight D., (Dwight David), 1890-1969
- Johnson, Lyndon B., (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973
- Kennedy, John F., (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Subject(s)
- Postal service -- United States
- World War, 1939-1945
- Zip codes
Collection Inventory
|
Photographs |
||||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Exhibits |
4398 | 1 | ||
|
Mail Trucks |
4398 | 2 | ||
|
People. Belen, Frederick C. |
4398 | 3-11 | ||
|
People. Eisenhower, Dwight D. |
4398 | 12 | ||
|
People. Groups |
4398 | 13 | ||
|
People. Humphrey, Hubert |
4398 | 14 | ||
|
People. Individuals. Unidentified |
4398 | 15 | ||
|
People. Johnson, Lyndon B. |
4398 | 16 | ||
|
People. Kennedy, John F. |
4398 | 17 | ||
|
People. Watson, W. Marvin |
4398 | 18 | ||
|
Scenes. Frederick Belen's Office |
4398 | 19 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Birthday Correspondence 1964-1965 |
4398 | 20 | ||
|
Birthday Correspondence 1968-1969 |
4398 | 21-22 | ||
|
Birthday Correspondence 1966 |
4398 | 23 | ||
|
Birthday Correspondence 1967 |
4398 | 24 | ||
|
Birthday Correspondence 1969 |
4398 | 25 | ||
|
Correspondence from V.I.P.s 1958, 1961-1968, undated |
4398 | 26 | ||
|
Correspondence - Cabinet Members 1968 |
4398 | 27 | ||
|
Correspondence - Congress 1968 |
4398 | 28 | ||
|
Correspondence - Post Office 1968-1969 |
4398 | 29 | ||
|
Correspondence - Deputy Postmaster General Office 1969 |
4398 | 30 | ||
|
Correspondence - Mail Users Council 1968-1969 |
4398 | 31 | ||
|
Correspondence - Other 1968 |
4398 | 31 | ||
|
Correspondence - Postmasters 1968 |
4398 | 32 | ||
|
Correspondence - Post Office Department Advisory Board 1968 |
4398 | 33 | ||
|
Correspondence - Regional Directors 1968 |
4398 | 33 | ||
|
Memos - President John F. Kennedy assassination 1963 |
4398 | 34 | ||
|
Correspondence with photocopies of photographs 1961-1962, 1965, 1967, undated |
4398 | 35 | ||
|
Congressional Records - Senator Hart tribute to Belen 1968 |
4398 | 36 | ||
|
Postmaster General Endorsements 1963 |
4398 | 37 | ||
|
Newspaper clippings and publicity 1961-1964 |
4398 | 38-39 | ||
|
"Creative Federalism" 1966-1968 |
4398 | 40 | ||
|
Military Service 1942-1946 |
4398 | 41-43 | ||
|
Military File - Lieutenant Colonel Frederick C. Belen, 0352051 1945-1952 |
4398 | 44 | ||
|
Personal 1947-1952 |
4398 | 45 | ||
|
Post Office Department Regional Letters and Headquarters Circulars |
||||
| Box | Volume | |||
|
1961-1964 |
5142 | 1 | ||
|
1964-1965 |
5142 | 2 | ||
|
1966 |
5142 | 3 | ||
|
1967 |
5143 | 1 | ||
|
1968 |
5143 | 2 | ||
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Loose materials from 1968 volume |
5143 | 1 | ||