Rear Admiral Kevin Delaney - US Navy (Retired)
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Rear Admiral (ret) Kevin F. Delaney was a leader totally committed to his country, state and family. Prior to his death on April 7, 2015 he served as a combat leader and community advocate. His military record was one of sustained excellence. Of the 98 awards and decorations he received over the course of his career, 64 were for combat action and include the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Single Action Air Medals, 26 Strike/ Fight Air Medals and 6 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses. He was also awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and 4 awards of the Legion of Merit.
Admiral Delaney served his community throughout his life. He served on the boards of 19 area non-profit organizations in Northeast Florida. Admiral Delaney was the past Chairman of the Ronald McDonald House Advisory Board, past President of the Florida State College of Jacksonville Foundation, a two term member of the Board of Trustees of both Jacksonville University and Florida State College, past President of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was the past Chairman and past President of the Northeast Florida Safety Council, past Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida and was Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida’s 2001-2002 Campaign. In 2005, Admiral Delaney served as Chairman of the Jacksonville Beaches Chamber of Commerce. He has been recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of Jacksonville’s 10 most influential business leaders of the decade (1990- 2000). |
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In August, 2008, Admiral Delaney was appointed to a second two-year term on the U.S. Business Administration’s National Advisory Council. At the time of his death he was currently serving a third term on the National Board of Directors of The Wounded Warrior Project. Admiral Delaney was appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve on the Florida Defense Support Task Force. In 2014, he was honored by the Small Business Administration as the “Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year” for the State of Florida and as the 2014 Veteran of Influence. Admiral Delaney was honored by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce in 2014, as the most influential veteran, and he was installed as the very first member of their Military Hall of Fame.
Admiral Delaney exemplified the best of America. He was a devoted husband and father who taught all of those around him to give selflessly. Jacksonville University is proud to nominate this outstanding man of honor to the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
Summary of Education and Training Accomplishments:
Summary of the Nominee's Professional or Employment History:
Admiral Delaney received a Congressional Appointment to the United States Naval Academy and reported immediately after graduation from Wolcott High School in June, 1964. He graduated in June, 1968, with a BS in Engineering, as a member of the 9th Company and three days later married his wife Pat in Philadelphia, PA. Admiral Delaney reported to Pensacola in July, 1968, to commence flight training and received his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in August, 1969.
In December, 1969, Admiral Delaney reported to his first operational assignment with the famed Navy “Seawolves” of Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three in the Republic of Vietnam where he flew helicopter gunships on 686 combat missions in support of Navy nverine forces and SEAL units in the Mekong Delta.
Admiral Delaney served in a total of six operational aircraft squadrons, had multiple major staff assignments and was Air Boss on USS Guadalcanal off the coast of Beirut. He had six command tours including two aviation squadrons, an aircraft wing and NAS Jacksonville. Under Admiral Delaney’s command NAS Jacksonville was selected as the Navy’s top shore installation in 1991. He also served as Commander, Naval Shore Activities, US Atlantic Fleet and was the first Director of Shore Installation Management on the CNO’s staff.
Just prior to his retirement. Admiral Delaney served as the Navy’s Regional Commander for the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean where he was responsible for over 40 commands, including 14 major Naval installations.
After his Navy retirement. Admiral Delaney worked in the private sector for three years. He founded a consulting firm which specialized in assisting small and medium businesses, particularly those which were veteran owned.
Summary of Nominee's Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:
Admiral Delaney was a tireless advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans. He was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of Jacksonville’s 10 most influential business leaders of the decade (1990-2000). In August, 2008, Admiral Delaney was appointed to a second two-year term on the U.S. Business Administration’s National Advisory Council. At the time of his death he was serving a third term on the National Board of Directors of The Wounded Warrior Project. He was appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve on the Florida Defense Support Task Force. In 2014, Admiral Delaney was honored by the Small Business Administration as the “Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year” for the State of Florida and as the 2014 Veteran of Influence. He was honored by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce in 2014, as the most influential veteran, and he was installed as the very first member of their Military Hall of Fame.
Summary of Nominee's Civic Activities and Contributions:
Over the past 19 years, Admiral Delaney served on the boards of 19 area non-profit organizations in Northeast Florida. He was the past Chairman of the Ronald McDonald House Advisory Board, past President of the Florida State College of Jacksonville Foundation, a two term member of the Board of Trustees of both Jacksonville University and Florida State College, past President of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville and a Paul Harris Fellow. Admiral Delaney was the past Chairman and past President of the Northeast Florida Safety Council, past Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida and was Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida’s 2001-2002 Campaign. In 2005, he served as Chairman of the Jacksonville Beaches Chamber of Commerce.
Awards or Honors:
Of the 98 awards and decorations he received over the course of his career, 64 were for combat action and include the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Single Action Air Medals, 26 Strike/ Fight Air Medals and 6 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses. He was also awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and 4 awards of the Legion of Merit.
Admiral Delaney exemplified the best of America. He was a devoted husband and father who taught all of those around him to give selflessly. Jacksonville University is proud to nominate this outstanding man of honor to the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
Summary of Education and Training Accomplishments:
- United States Naval Academy Bachelor of Science in Engineering George Washington University Master’s Degree in Business Armed Forces Staff College
- Institute for Higher Defense Studies (Capstone)
- Shore Station Command Course
- Federal Executive Fellowship at the Brookings Institute
- Senior Executive Fellowship Massachusetts Institute of Technology Post Graduate Studies at Harvard University'
- Commanding Officer Joint Aviation
- Supply and Maintenance Material Management
- Helicopter Pilot Training
Summary of the Nominee's Professional or Employment History:
Admiral Delaney received a Congressional Appointment to the United States Naval Academy and reported immediately after graduation from Wolcott High School in June, 1964. He graduated in June, 1968, with a BS in Engineering, as a member of the 9th Company and three days later married his wife Pat in Philadelphia, PA. Admiral Delaney reported to Pensacola in July, 1968, to commence flight training and received his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in August, 1969.
In December, 1969, Admiral Delaney reported to his first operational assignment with the famed Navy “Seawolves” of Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three in the Republic of Vietnam where he flew helicopter gunships on 686 combat missions in support of Navy nverine forces and SEAL units in the Mekong Delta.
Admiral Delaney served in a total of six operational aircraft squadrons, had multiple major staff assignments and was Air Boss on USS Guadalcanal off the coast of Beirut. He had six command tours including two aviation squadrons, an aircraft wing and NAS Jacksonville. Under Admiral Delaney’s command NAS Jacksonville was selected as the Navy’s top shore installation in 1991. He also served as Commander, Naval Shore Activities, US Atlantic Fleet and was the first Director of Shore Installation Management on the CNO’s staff.
Just prior to his retirement. Admiral Delaney served as the Navy’s Regional Commander for the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean where he was responsible for over 40 commands, including 14 major Naval installations.
After his Navy retirement. Admiral Delaney worked in the private sector for three years. He founded a consulting firm which specialized in assisting small and medium businesses, particularly those which were veteran owned.
Summary of Nominee's Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:
Admiral Delaney was a tireless advocate on behalf of his fellow veterans. He was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of Jacksonville’s 10 most influential business leaders of the decade (1990-2000). In August, 2008, Admiral Delaney was appointed to a second two-year term on the U.S. Business Administration’s National Advisory Council. At the time of his death he was serving a third term on the National Board of Directors of The Wounded Warrior Project. He was appointed by the Governor of Florida to serve on the Florida Defense Support Task Force. In 2014, Admiral Delaney was honored by the Small Business Administration as the “Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year” for the State of Florida and as the 2014 Veteran of Influence. He was honored by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce in 2014, as the most influential veteran, and he was installed as the very first member of their Military Hall of Fame.
Summary of Nominee's Civic Activities and Contributions:
Over the past 19 years, Admiral Delaney served on the boards of 19 area non-profit organizations in Northeast Florida. He was the past Chairman of the Ronald McDonald House Advisory Board, past President of the Florida State College of Jacksonville Foundation, a two term member of the Board of Trustees of both Jacksonville University and Florida State College, past President of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville and a Paul Harris Fellow. Admiral Delaney was the past Chairman and past President of the Northeast Florida Safety Council, past Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida and was Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Florida’s 2001-2002 Campaign. In 2005, he served as Chairman of the Jacksonville Beaches Chamber of Commerce.
Awards or Honors:
Of the 98 awards and decorations he received over the course of his career, 64 were for combat action and include the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Single Action Air Medals, 26 Strike/ Fight Air Medals and 6 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses. He was also awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and 4 awards of the Legion of Merit.
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit w/3 stars
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Medal w/Combat V and numeral (26) single action numeral (11) Navy Commendation Medal w/1 Silver Star
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Meritorious Unit Commendation w/3 Bronze Stars Navy “E” Ribbon
- Navy Expeditionary Medal w/1 Bronze Star
- National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Vietnam Sendee Medal w/3 Bronze Stars
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/4 Bronze Stars Republic of Vietnam Air Cross of Gallantry w/Bronze Wings Republic of Vietnam Navy Cross of Gallantry w/Bronze Anchor Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Expert Rifleman Medal
- Expert Pistol Medal
- Jacksonville Business Journal as one of Jacksonville’s 10 most influential business leaders of the decade (1990-2000).
- Small Business Administration “Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year” for the State of Florida
- Jacksonville Business Journal 2014 Veteran of Influence
- Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce in 2014, as the most influential veteran, and he was installed as the very first member of their Military Hall of Fame Jane M. Wynn Leaders with Vision Award