JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than 400 people gathered Monday morning at Naval Air Station Jacksonville to honor the life of a former commander of the base, retired Rear Adm. Kevin Delaney.
Delaney retired in Jacksonville after 34 years in the Navy and spent many years as a civic leader in the community. He died April 7 after a battle with lung cancer attributed to his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He was 68 years old.
Delaney was a highly decorated sailor who commanded the base at NAS Jacksonville and then went on to lead the Navy's fleet for the entire Southeast. But more importantly, his friends and family said, he was a great father, grandfather and philanthropist.
"I am so very fortunate to have had such an amazing dad who always took the time and was always so very kind," Kim Delaney, Kevin Delany's daughter said.
Loved ones organized a traditional mass at St. Edward's Catholic Chapel, where his daughters spoke about the legacy he leaves. Sailors then carried his flag-draped casket out of the church, where the Navy band played "God Bless America" and taps.
Sailors honored Delaney with a 21-gun salute and then a flyover by four helicopters.
Delaney was buried at Jacksonville National Cemetery, where his family held a private service.
Delaney began his service flying nearly 700 combat missions in Vietnam and advanced through his career to becoming commanding officer of NAS Jacksonville. He retired after serving as the top commander of Navy Region Southeast.
Delaney received 98 military awards and decorations, including the Silver Star.
After retiring, Delaney remained active with several local organizations, including Canines for Warriors and the Wounded Warrior Project.
"Admiral Delaney loves his sailors, he loved this base and he loved the community of Jacksonville. He spent a great deal of his career here and everything that he did was to make the quality of life better for his sailors," retired LCDR. Joey Walker, a friend of Delaney said.