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Delbert Waugh

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Date Of Birth: July 29, 1939
Date Of Death: October 15, 2008

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Condolences

  1. Del, you were a great Soldier, a hero and a great American, but most of all you were a good friend. I will miss you and your big smile very much. Thank you for all of the things that you did for so many. God bless you brother.

  2. Thanks for your service Del to our country, our war, our VFW and all of us that are proud to call you our friend. See you on the other side.

  3. Del was “above the best” and will be missed by his fellow Army Aviators.

  4. I am truly sorry for all that we have lost this great man. I learned alot from Del and he certainly filled the father role when I needed it most. I owe him alot and will continue to pray for his family and friends. Rest in peace and may the good lord keep you safe. I will keep you close to my heart forever….

  5. A lot if good memories. I am so proud and fortunate to have known and worked with you. Life on this earth is so short, evidently you made the most out of your time with is here. So sorry, your friend Bill Perkins

  6. Del:
    You were one of the good guys!
    Thanks for your friendship and your loyal service to America and fellow man.
    We shared some laughs as well as military and civilian business.
    GODSPEED.
    Chuck

  7. Del,
    We will miss you are hearts have an empty space now. Please watch over us and your grandkids. They miss thier papa Del so much.

  8. Del was a great friend and person who never gave up when troubles came. May God Bless you and keep you safe and sound. Thanks for your friendship for many years. Jane

  9. For 50 years we were friends. The OBIT I wrote doesn’t tell half the story. Damn!! you checked out too soon, but when you did, it was with with class and style!! Your Naval Aviator Comrade.
    T.

  10. Del,
    Like some of the others, I didn’t know half of your accomplishments, but always knew that you would always meet any challenge with courage and giving your best, however great the task. As we trained as helicopter pilots at Ft Campbell to deploy the 61st AHC to Vietnam, we all recognized the best of the best. Del, you were right there at the top. As Operations Officer for the unit, I knew that you would not give up whatever the risk to yourself. You are what I think of when I recall the Army Aviation motto “Above the Best”. I’m looking forward to being together again someday to catch up on the years since we last spoke.
    I know your family and friends will miss you and your smile.

  11. I knew Del well. The one guy that was special to all of us. True to his nature after many days and nights and twice as many drinks and even though on occasion he would let a “little” war story slip out. I had no idea of the magnitude of his heroics. I salute you sir and I will see you later. Pappy

  13. Del,

    Our hearts are so heavy with grief…without you here with us.

    It is said that:

    “You have never lived until you’ve almost died

    For those that fight for it, life has a flavor the protected with never know.”

    Del, you had that “flavor” for life and truly lived life to the fullest! Our lives are all so much richer because you were part of them.

    Del, I know you are with George now sharing a martini and listening to Jimmy Buffett songs and sharing stories of all your “conquests.” That thought brings a big smile to my face. I know George is so proud of the way you took care of me. I am eternally grateful for your friendship and the pleasure of your company.

    I will always love and miss you!

    Patty

  14. Hey, Wildman, I will miss you, Sir. We loved to chide each other and laugh so hard we choked. I can still see the look on your face when you came into the tent with your eyes as big as Eggland eggs saying: “we didn’t even get out of the revetment”. I laughed so hard I cried. We had a great friendship Mr. Waugh, and I will surely miss our crazy conversations about almost anything nonsensical or about the beauty of our most precious national treasure: Lovely Women. Together, in Okinawa, we earnestly started our drinking life that seemed to bond us for life. And of course you always needed me because: “I always believed every word that came out of your mouth”. Yes, you were the quinesential story teller and you could bring me to hysteria each and every time. Man we had a good time together; Mr. Waugh, I will certainly miss our excellent conversations.

    My Dear Friend: Airborne & Semper Fi. I know the Lord is laughing with you now; just waiting for your fellow Aviators to join you in a better place. A Place where we will all “soar like eagles”. We are surely sad about your early departure, least it points out that we are not in charge of anything-we just think we are. Yes, their is a very sad… spot in my/our hearts!

    God Bless You Mr. Del Waugh. You will remain my Very Good and Best Friend…

  15. Del gave me my incountry checkride in Feb 68 introducing me to being shot at. We flew several missions together until I went over to the guns. He will be missed by many. Smooth air to you, Del, God now has a great SIP in charge.

  16. Hi Del, you were one of my best buddies; I would say we were brothers. We served together in Vietnam in 67-68 with the 61st Assault Helicopter Company. You were one of the most talented pilots that I have ever known and flown with. You risked his life many times in Vietnam in saving the lives of others. I will miss you greatly. I would usually talk to you about once a month, most recently about two weeks before your accident. You had suggested that I come visit you in Chicago to see what your life was really like. You said you would take me up with him on a flight. Some may be critical of you still flying because of your age which was 69. You were physically and mentally so much younger. You could be mistaken for someone in their mid 50GÇÖs.

    I will always remember your most infectious smile and enjoying a choice cigar with you as we solved the worlds problems and when we spoke of times we shared with others over 40 years ago.

    May God bless you and keep you until we see each other again someday soon.

  17. Uncle Del,
    You and my Aunt Emma, what can I say, I adored you so. Every memory I have of you is filled with laughter, love and adoration. You were the man who was there for me when I had been abused and broken as a child. Always protecting, teaching, loving and accepting me as though I were your own daughter. Some of the best memories of my childhood are of the summers spent at Waterbury with our family and the Will’s. Your cooking, swimming, everyone singing. My grandma, grandpa, mom and brother loved you so. Thank you for the man you were to our family and the Hero you were till the day you died. I believe with all my heart you knew the chopper was going down and you went to that field to save lives from the people in those apartments. It comforts me to know heaven has “Angel 1” and you are with our family who has been waiting for you. Anyone who knew you knows you would have given your life 1000x rather than take the lives of your crew and that precious baby girl. Be her protector in heaven. I love you so much. I am selfish in my grief. We as Americans owe you our gratitude for our freedom. I hope your faithful and near flawless military dedication is recognized.
    I will be behind you on your journey to Arlington. I know your humility wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love you so much. I promise to love Brad and his family as you loved mine. Until I see you again my beloved Uncle, may you bask in the glory of heaven with all your commrades you mourned, for all eternity.
    For every tear I cry is a tear of honor and gratitude for the precious gift of you.
    Your loving niece. I may even smoke a cigar along with a fine glass of merlot just to give you a laugh up there! I love you forever…..

  18. Del,
    We just spent our first thankgiving with out you… it was hard but we are staying strong. We all still cry alot but we know you are with us every day. Air Angels has sent a beautiful picture of you doing what you love to do and the smile on your face says it all. We love you and miss you.

  19. I met Del at Ft Bliss Texas in the 70s when we were assigned to the 52d ADA, which was probably not our best assignments as Army aviators. We had a lot of good times together, tipped some wine and a few beers, talked cooking, war stories etc… I was always a bit jealous of Del as he had one of the most beautiful wives around. Emma was a fantastic woman and they made a beautiful couple. Most of all, I remember his humor and great uplifting personality. It is most ironic that about three days ago, I had a premonition that I should call Del. We had spoken over the phone a few years back and I had this strange urge to give him a call. Unfortunate that I waited too late to give him a shout. I will miss him as he is not the kind of person one forgets. Army aviators don’t really die, we just get disoriented and fly up into heaven.

  20. Upon joining the Ohio River LZ chapter of the VHPA, I found no one that I had directly trained or served. It is guys like Del, with whom we shared a common bond, that keeps us coming back.
    Rest well brother Del, we salute you.

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