Special thanks to Deb Bryner for the following story
LT (jg) Charles Joseph Delp was awarded the WWII Medal at his home near Callaway on his 98th birthday, May 9th. This Medal was created by Gov. Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Veteran affairs to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Dave Chesley and Gary Mills presented Charles with his Medal.
That ceremony was followed by a Quilt of Valor presentation. Charles enlisted in the U. S. Navy on April 13th 1945 while still in High School. He went on active duty on May 25th 1945 at Fort Collins, CO. He was trained as a Yeoman. The yeoman rating is one of the oldest ratings in the U.S. Navy, and was established in 1835. Prior to that they were “Captain’s Clerk” and responsible for the Ship’s log.
Charles was stationed onboard the USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CL91) during the occupation of Japan. In March 1957, the OKLAHOMA CITY was converted to a guided missile light cruiser and her hull classification and number were changed to (CLG05). She contributed to the strength of the 7th Fleet during her Vietnam service.
Charles received the American Campaign Medal, Asia Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Word War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on August 8th 1946
