If the nomination is approved by the City Council, Belton would fill a vacancy created with the departure of Veterans Services director Daniel Walsh.
In this file photo from 2009, Thomas Belton, right, president of the Winchester Square Vietnam Era Veterans, and Daniel Hamre, left, commander of American Legion Post 430, placed Memorial Day wreaths on the veterans monuments in Court Square in downtown Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD - Thomas M. Belton Sr., a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, was nominated Tuesday by Mayor Domenic M. Sarno to be the next city director for veterans services.
Belton, if the nomination is approved by the City Council, will fill the vacancy created with the retirement of longtime director Daniel M. Walsh III on April 29.
Walsh said at the time he was retiring, but his departure came on the heels of a complaint filed against him with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
The complaint, filed by former employee James C. Jordan, charges Walsh treated black and Latino veterans differently than he did whites.
Walsh said at the time that his retirement was planned six months in advance and Jordan’s charges had nothing to do with his departure.
Belton, a native of Springfield, joined the Marines after graduating from high school and served during the Vietnam War. In 1968, he was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and numerous other medals, decorations and campaign ribbons. He earned a meritorious promotion to sergeant in 1969 and was discharged from the Marines in 1970.
He is a charter member and current president of the Winchester Square Vietnam Era Veterans, and also a member of the Springfield Veterans Activity Committee. He was also named the City of Springfield Veteran of the Year in 2003
Belton has worked for the city for 18 years and is currently the city's Organizational Development Director and has designed and led workshops for city employees on anger management, team building, sexual-harassment issues, basic computer skills and other subjects.
He is a member of the city Historical Commission, and earned an undergraduate degree and two master's degrees from American International College.
In a prepared statement, Belton said he appreciated Sarno's confidence in him. "I am looking forward to assisting veterans with the services they are in need of. I think all departments in the city are important but I have a special passion for the office of Veterans Services, which serves those who have fought for our freedom and way of life."