Joseph William “Joe” Belak

U.S. Army veteran, South Dakota baseball standout, and member of the United States Services Baseball Team at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.

Joe Belak in United States baseball uniform
Joe Belak in his United States baseball uniform.
United States Services Team

Joseph William “Joe” Belak

Corporal, U.S. Army | Relief Pitcher | 1956 Melbourne Olympic Baseball Demonstration

Joseph William “Joe” Belak was selected for the United States military baseball team that played during the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. Public records identify him as a U.S. Army corporal, a Korean War-era veteran, and a member of the Far East Command baseball group that represented American military baseball overseas.

Before and after his military service, Belak was deeply tied to South Dakota baseball. From leading Gregory’s American Legion team to a state title to later earning induction into the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, his story reflects both high-level military baseball and lifelong community baseball pride.

Full NameJoseph William “Joe” Belak
BirthFebruary 21, 1934 | Gregory, South Dakota
DeathJune 23, 2018 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1956 RankCorporal, U.S. Army
PositionRelief Pitcher / Right Field
Olympic TeamUnited States Services Baseball Team
CollegeBlack Hills State University
Hall of FameSouth Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, 1983

Early Life and South Dakota Baseball

Belak grew up in Gregory, South Dakota, the son of Joseph and Frances Chvala Belak. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Gregory High School, where he became known as a strong multi-sport athlete, especially in football and baseball.

In 1951, he led the Gregory American Legion baseball team to a Class B state championship and was named South Dakota American Legion baseball player of the year. His baseball ability was strong enough to draw attention from professional scouts before his military service carried him overseas.

Army Service and Camp Zama Baseball

Belak served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era. Olympedia identifies him as a corporal in 1956 and notes that his Korean War duties included laying and clearing land mines. His exact Army unit has not yet been confirmed in public online records.

After Korea, Belak was stationed at Camp Zama, Japan. There, he joined the military baseball team and became part of the network of top American servicemen players selected for the 1956 Australia trip.

The 1956 Olympic Baseball Team

Baseball at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics was presented as a demonstration event rather than an official medal sport. The United States defeated Australia 11-5 on December 1, 1956, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before a massive crowd.

Olympedia lists Belak as one of the United States relief pitchers in that game. Other references describe him as usually playing right field, suggesting he was a versatile player whose role could change depending on the game and roster need.

Historical note: Belak’s obituary says he helped the team win the Bronze Medal. Official Olympic reference sources classify the 1956 baseball game as a non-medal demonstration event, so this page describes him as a member of the United States team that won the Melbourne Olympic baseball demonstration game.

Baseball After Military Service

After returning from overseas service, Belak attended Black Hills State University and continued playing competitive baseball in South Dakota. He later played for the Winner Pheasants and the Rapid City Chiefs, with roster compilations listing him as a pitcher in 1957 and 1958.

Belak remained active in amateur baseball for many years and was inducted into the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. His obituary also notes that he continued participating in Gregory’s annual old-timers baseball tradition until his health no longer allowed it.

Family and Later Life

Belak married Hisaka in Japan, and the family returned to the United States with their son Joe Jr. Public family references identify his children as Fran Sletton, Anna Atteberry, and Joseph Belak Jr.

Later in life, Belak was associated with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gregory, the Burke VFW, and the Gregory American Legion. He died on June 23, 2018, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and was interred at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City.

Timeline

February 21, 1934Born in Gregory, South Dakota.
1951Led Gregory American Legion to a Class B state title and was named South Dakota American Legion baseball player of the year.
Korean War EraServed in the U.S. Army in Korea, with later service connected to Camp Zama, Japan.
1956Selected for the United States military baseball team that traveled to Melbourne, Australia.
December 1, 1956Listed as a relief pitcher in the United States’ 11-5 Olympic baseball demonstration win over Australia.
1957-1958Played post-service baseball with the Winner Pheasants and Rapid City Chiefs.
1983Inducted into the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.
June 23, 2018Died in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Still Being Researched

Several details remain open for further family or archival research, including Belak’s exact Army unit, complete military service dates, formal military awards, full Basin League statistics, and additional photographs from Korea, Japan, or Australia.

If your family has photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, programs, or stories connected to Joe Belak or the 1956 United States Services Baseball Team, Lowe Chemical would be grateful to help preserve them.

Research Sources

This page was compiled from funeral-home obituary records, Olympic reference sources, family history references, and South Dakota baseball sources.