Frederick C. Belen papers, 1942-1969.

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.

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."

Finding aid available in 101 Conrad Hall.

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.