Delbert D. Black was born in Orr, Oklahoma back in 1922. After graduating from high school he enrolled in the United States Navy, he was assigned to the USS Maryland and was aboard the ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.
He served among many other ships during the war. The list is quite extensive and there is not enough time or room for me to mention all of them in tis forum. He advanced through the ranks, serving for 30 years with the Navy. He retired in 1971. After his retirement he continued to be involved with the Navy. He was a member of the USO and the Fleet Reserve Association and co-chairman on the Secretary of Navy Committee on Retired Personnel. He died in Winter Park, Florida in 2000. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.
However, he accomplished one thing that others had not done until then. He was the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. He held that distinction from 1967 to 1971 upon his retirement. He counseled the highest Navy brass on problems associated with enlisted guidance, leadership and policy. In 2010 the population of Orr, Oklahoma was a whopping 9,423. Not bad, not bad at all. In 2015 the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Delbert D. Black wash christened in his honor.
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