LTC Ralph Delgado Jr, born October 25, 1924 in New York City, NY Went to be with Our Lord May 4th 2019 at the age of 94 at his home in Tampa FL Born in New York City, Ralph attended High School in New Brunswick New Jersey. At the age of nineteen, Ralph volunteered and joined the US Army Air Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in July 1943, after flight school & qualified on different aircrafts 2LT Ralph Delgado Jr was sent to the European theater as a fighter pilot during World War II In 1944 he fought in the Battle of Bulge, Adolf Hitler’s last attack on western front.
At this time during the war, 2LT Ralph Delgado Jr, had made history A Sad Day for two German Jets ME-262’s On the morning of March 2nd 1945, on their way back to base 2LT Delgado spotted eight ME-262’s taxing off from a German airfield. At this time he was flying a P51 airplane also known as a mustang. He called and told his flight leader what he saw.
His flight leader said, let’s get them, 2LT Delgado made a sharp diving turn & started after one of the ME-262 as it started to climb. He lowered the plane & then raised the plane’s nose as he maneuvered while shooting at the German ME-262 & knew he got a hit. When 2LT Delgado returned to his base it was a big celebration!
Both he & his flight leader had shot down each an ME-262, but also 2LT Delgado’s kill was the 700th enemy plane shot down by the 354th Fighter Group, which he belonged to and a military journalist took his picture & he made the news for his accomplishment. After the war & returned home to the state of New York, he meet his beautiful bride Conchita Guerra They were married July 19th 1947 & were married for 68 eight years. He is survived by his three daughters, Priscilla Hatch, Diana Benitez & Katherine Mudafort and her husband SGM Richard M.Mudafort.
Five grandchildren David Hatch, Uari Mendoza, Sharone Fogarty and her husband Lyle Fogarty, Michele Frasure, Richard Mudafort II, six great grandchildren Madison Hatch, Sylina Frasure, Angelica Fogarty, Nicholas Fogarty, Brady Fogarty, Maria Fogarty, & two great great-grandchildren Logan Hatch & Emma Tomes. After his marriage he moved from New York City to Puerto Rico where he raised his children. He joined United States Air National Guard, flying F-86 jets retiring from the military in 1975 with the rank of Lt Colonel (LTC), he always said flying jets was fun, but nothing was as much fun as flying his P-51 mustang!
LTC Ralph Delgado Jr, was also best known as an amazing family man, this was truly his best signature! His family was everything to him, he made an amazing mark teaching all his family the importance of loving God, your country & family! LTC Ralph Delgado Jr. was part of the American History, a True American Ambassador of what it is to be an American & defend your country and be proud of being an American Rest in Peace, you where an amazing warrior, you are loved and will always be loved by so many!
We love you Daddy! ! Friday May 10th Family at 5:00pm Viewing from 6-8 PM, 7PM praying the rosary at Boza & Roel Funeral Home 4730 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33603 Saturday May 11th 12:40PM at Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church Mass will be at 1:00PM 2510 East Hanna Ave, Tampa, FL 33610 Procession to Garden of Memories Cemetery, with a 2:45PM ceremony at the Mausoleum Crypt site #106 4207 East Lake Ave, Tampa FL 33610 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ralph Delgado please visit our Sympathy Store.
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