ROBERT CLIFFORD DELANEY was born in Richmond, Henrico, Virginia on 12 Jun 1922. He was the first of two children, Ernest Warren Delaney (1932-2020) being the second, who were born to Robert Ernest and Loreta (Clifford) Frazier Delaney. They married 15 Aug 1921 in the District of Columbia. Loreta had previously been married to Harry Leland Frazier about 1916. They had one child, a son named Harry Leland Frazier, Jr., (1917-2005). Harry Jr., was the half-brother to Robert and Ernest Delaney. Harry Sr., died of the Spanish Flu in Oct 1918 at age 31.

Robert attended John Marshall High School and graduated from McGuire's University Preparatory school for boys in Richmond, VA (1939-1940). Commencement exercises for 25 students were held on 13 June the same day Robert enlisted in the Navy. He received his diploma in absentia.

He was a child of the Great Depression, and like many of his contemporaries, he dreamt of adventure, learning a trade, a steady income with which to help with family finances, and the chance travel. On 01 Sep 1939, war begin in Europe. That event may have sparked a patriot fire that propelled him to travel on 15 April 1940 to the local US Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) in Richmond, VA to fill-out an application to enlist in the US Navy.

Robert completed a preliminary entrance examination, submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork which included submitting a valid birth certificate and passing a background check. During this processing, Delaney sat for General Classification Test (GCT) in which he scored an 86/100% overall. He also had to obtain a discharge from the Virginia National Guard in which he served in Company “D” First Infantry. In addition, he had to pass a physical and dental examination. Because he was not yet 21 years of age, he had to obtain his father’s consent which he gave on 29 May 1940. He was accepted for enlistment a short time later. The outbreak of hostilities in Europe the previous fall sparked a flood of young American men to military recruitment centers around the country. This sudden influx of applicants created a waiting list for many of the services. The navy was no exception. Robert was added to the list to await his call to enlist.

On Thursday morning, 13 June 1940, a day after his 18th birthday, Robert was enlisted into the US Navy for a period of six years with the Navy Service Number 266-12-61. His pay was $21.00 per month, and his rate was Apprentice Seaman (A.S.). He also applied for Government Life Insurance in the amount of $1,000.00 payable to his mother. Later that day, AS Delaney boarded the train for the trip to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in Norfolk, VA to begin 8 weeks of recruit training. He was assigned to Unit “J” platoon 69. During the training, Delaney took an aptitude test to determine career field strengths. He scored highest in the communications field. Prior to his graduation from recruit training, he was offered the opportunity to attended the Navy’s 16 week Group II Communications Class “A” School at NTS Norfolk to begin after graduation which occurred on 09 Aug 1940. The following day, Delaney departed NTS for 10 days of recruit leave. He returned to Norfolk on 20 Aug 1940.

Delaney was enrolled in the “A” school which began on 07 Oct. During “A” school, AS Delaney advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 13 Oct 1940. Upon school graduation on 07 February 1941, Delaney graduated 28/43 with a final mark of 2.94, and he was appointed a Radioman Striker. He was granted two weeks leave to visit family and friends before being assigned to a ship of the fleet. On 27 Feb, S2c Delaney detached from the Receiving Station in Norfolk, VA with orders to report to the repurposed battleship (x BB-32) and now designated a training ship, USS Wyoming (AG-17), via the battleship, USS Texas (BB-35) as a passenger.

On 01 Mar, Texas got underway from Hampton Roads steaming for Culebra, Puerto Rico. She arrived on 05 Mar and Delaney transferred to Wyoming for duty. Later that year, S2c Delaney advanced two ranks to Radioman Third Class (RM3) on 01 Sep 1941. Delaney’s tour on Wyoming ended on 08 Oct 1941 when he transferred to the Commander, Patrol Wing Atlantic Fleet (COMPatWingLantFlt) Aviation Radioman Training Unit for a course of instruction in aircraft radio. Upon completion of the course his orders stated, he was to transfer to Patrol Squadron Eighty-Two (VP-82) for duty. He graduated on 21 Feb 1942. Delaney’s final course grade was 71.71 percent. His standing was 12th of 13 students. He transferred from the Radio School on 03 Mar 1942 reporting for duty to VP-82 on 06 Mar 1942 in Quonset Point, R.I.

On 20 Apr 1942, RM3 Delaney changed rate to Aviation Radioman Third Class (ARM3c). He took 7 days of leave beginning on 04 Jun 1942 to visit family and friends. It would be the last time his family would see him.

On 01 Aug 1942, Delaney may have had a premonition about his life because on this day he upped his National Service Life Insurance to $5,000.00 payable to his mother. On this date, he had three policies; 2 with Government Life Insurance for $1,000.00 each and one with National for $5,000.00. On 05 Aug 1942, he passed a physical exam. There’s no evidence to determine the purpose of the exam. It may have been a flight physical or an insurance requirement.

During the spring of 1942, there was considerable German submarine activity on the East coast of the United States. From May to November the Quonset Air Detachment of VP-82 provided anti-submarine patrols and convoy coverage along the New England coastal areas. At 2030 on 29 Aug 1942, a single plane, 82-P-4 with Ens. Richard M. McWilliams as the pilot, AP1 Albert Emil Jurca as co-pilot, ARM2 Robert Clifford Delaney as radioman, and AMM3 James Edward Browning as mechanic, took off on an anti-submarine sweep of an area in the vicinity of Ammen Rock about 75 miles from Race Point, Provincetown, Barnstable, Massachusetts. At 0045 on 30 Aug 1942, a single plane took off from Quonset Point NAS on an anti-submarine sweep to relieve 82-P-4 in the area of Ammen Rock. At 0500, after having failed to contact 82-P-4 by radio, the relief aircraft notified Quonset Point. All pilots were mustered and a search of the area planned. At 0720, four planes took off and searched the area for the missing aircraft. At 1345, the search planes returned to base with nothing to report. At 1415, four more planes took off to continue the search. They returned to base and landed at 1930 with nothing to report. Army planes and surface vessels also search the area with no sign of the plane, survivors or wreckage.

ARM2c Delaney was declared missing on 30 Aug 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 31 Aug 1943. He was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Service Medal with fleet clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal.

On 31 Aug 1942 the Navy Department, Bureau of Naval Personnel sent a telegram to Mr Robert Ernest Delaney in Richmond, VA. It reads in part; Deeply Regret to inform you that your son, Robert Clifford Delaney, ARM2/c, had been missing from an operational flight at sea since 0415 A.M. Sunday Morning, 30 August. Intensive search daylight to dark by aircraft and surface vessels made on 30 August and is being continued. Letter to follow.

The commanding officer of VP-82 sent the following letter to Mr and Mrs Delaney dated 03 Sept 1942. It reads in part;

In behalf of the officers and men of Patrol Squadron Eighty-Two, I wish to express our deep sympathy and condolences to you upon the untimely loss of your son Robert Clifford Delaney.

While your son had only been in this squadron a short time he had made many friends and was highly regarded by both officers and men. His record showed that in a little over two years he had advanced to a second class petty officer which is no small achievement in such a period of time. During his service with this squadron he conducted himself in an extremely energetic and conscientious manner and was very capable in his particular line of work. His loss to this squadron is deeply felt and our only consolation is that it occurred in line of duty and in protecting our country for which we call all be proud.

Robert was the radioman in a plane which took off about 8:30 P.M., August 29, on a night operational flight. During the early portion of this flight the squadron was kept informed of the plane’s position through periodic radio signals sent from the plane. The weather was clear with moon light and the plane had been operating satisfactorily. Until about 11 P.M., radio signals were received from the plane after which all contact with the plane was lost although ever effort was expended to reestablish this contact. Early Sunday morning a radio message was sent out ordering the plane to return to the base but the plane failed to indicate that the message had been received.

An intensive search was ordered into effect at once and planes from this squadron as well as from other Naval and Army Air Corp squadrons took to the air. This aerial search was conducted throughout Sunday in conjunction with Naval surface units, but no trace was found of the plane or its crew. This search is still being conducted, at the present time, by both aerial and surface unit of the Navy.

Your son had two insurance policies of $1,000 each with Government Life Insurance and a third policy of $5,000 with National Service Life Insurance. These policies come under the U.S. Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.

(Additional information omitted for relevance)

With our sincere sympathy,

//S// J. D. Greer

Lieut-Comdr., U.S.N.

Commanding Officer

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On 04 Sept 1943, a letter from the Chief of Naval Personnel was sent to Mr Robert Ernest Delaney informing the family that Robert Clifford Delaney, Aviation Radioman second class, United States Navy, was reported to be “missing” as of 30 August 1942, having been a member of a plane crew from Patrol Squadron EIGHTY-TWO when it failed to return from an operational flight in the New England area. Pursuant to Section 5, Public Law #490, 77th Congress, as amended the Secretary of the Navy has directed that your son’s death be presumed to have occurred as of 31 August 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months.

By direction of the Chief of Naval Personnel.

(sections of this letter omitted)

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The Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) awarded for the inclusive dates 15 Jan 1942-10 Jun 1942 according to the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, VOL 2, p. 552. The Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) was awarded to VPB-125. During Ens. McWilliams' tour of duty the squadron was designated VP-82 until 01 March 1943 when it was redesignated Bombing Squadron 125 (VB-125). It was redesignated again on 01 Oct 1944 as Patrol Bombing Squadron 125 (VPB-125). VB-125 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for the period 01 April 1943 - 30 April 1943 inclusive. After a long history of service, VPB-125 was disestablished on 08 Jun 1945.

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Honor Scroll

His family also received a scroll from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in commemoration of ARM2c Robert C. Delaney. It reads: In grateful memory of Robert Clifford DELANEY, who died in the service of his country at SEA, New England Area, ATTACHED Patrol Squadron EIGHTY-TWO, August 31, 1943 (Presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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The crew of 82-P-4:

1) Ensign Richard Marvin McWilliams, A-V(N), (NSN: 0-104221), Pilot.

2) Aviation Pilot First Class (AP1) Albert Emil Jurca, USN, (NSN:359-90-58), Co-pilot.

3) Aviation Radioman Second Class , USN, (NSN:266-12-61), Radioman.

4) Aviation Machinists Mate Third Class (AMM3) James Edward Browning, USN, (NSN:300-45-12), Mechanic.

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Bio#443 composed 16 February 2024 by Gerry Lawton (G47)

Military Hall of Honor ID# 63971

Find a Grave Memorial ID:#

Sources:

1) Delaney, Robert Clifford, ARM2c USN. US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. February 2024.

2) Newspaper articles

3) US Navy Muster and Change Reports

4) VP-125 Wikiwand online

5) War Diaries of VP-125, Fold3