Lieutenant jg Frank Martin “Buddy” Delgado USN

Distinguished Flying Cross

Frank Martin “Buddy” Delgado was born on December 8, 1921 to Frank and Mary Delgado of Las Vegas NM. Raised in Las Vegas, where his father was a druggist, he graduated from high school in 1939 and enrolled at NMAMC the next fall. He attended two years studying in the College of Arts and Sciences. In April 1941 he volunteered for the US Navy and was selected for pilot training. Commissioned in 1942 he was trained to fly the Grumman Avenger TBF torpedo bomber. After duty in the Atlantic he was assigned to VT 16 aboard the USS Lexington. In October 1943 he participated in attacks on Wake Island. In the months that followed he participated in strikes against the Marshalls, the Carolinas, Hollandia, Truk and Saipan. For actions at Palau in which he is credited with sinking a Japanese freighter, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. On June 13, 1944, while participating in a strike against Saipan, his aircraft was damaged by emery fire and lost at sea. His body never recovered. Today he is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial Cemetery. Lt Frank “Buddy” Delgado was 22 years of age at the time he gave his life in service to his nation.