The Life and Adventures of Delbert Spool

The story of Delbert Spool's life is truly an American adventure. He was a child of Bulgarian immigrant parents who fled Europe as the storm clouds of WWII gathered. From birth, Delbert was physically gifted and unique in many ways. The only son in a small working-class family, he had a typical American upbringing in Hackensack, New Jersey. In his middle-class neighborhood, like many of the children he grew up with, he attended the local Catholic schools, where he both learned and suffered the discipline they are famous for. Delbert showed both courage and kindness at an early age, coming to the aid of those in danger despite his own risk. These traits would define him throughout his life.

As Delbert grew, he became an exceptional athlete, excelling at football and earning a scholarship to the University of Delaware. But college and his dreams were cut short by a string of personal tragedies that introduced him to death. The despair that hardened him and cast him adrift led him to the military, as it has so many young men who lose their direction in life.

In the Army, Del Spool was forged into a man. His early military assignments provided adventures all their own. A doer, Del chose to join America's elite military brotherhood by attending Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces training. He earned an officer's commission through Officer Candidate School, where he excelled and was a top graduate, honing his leadership skills and learning that always being prepared was the key to excellence.

During two combat tours in Vietnam, Del's courage earned him warrior status and the respect of all with whom he served. Some would call him a hero; he was well decorated for his selfless bravery. But Del would just say he did what he was expected to do. Nonetheless, he served his country with honor and integrity. Del's time in Europe during the Cold War, when the Army struggled to rebuild itself after Vietnam, provided its own set of unique adventures to say the least, yet left Del unfulfilled. And in the rapidly changing peace time Army, Del chose to leave the service and see what the civilian world had to offer an adventurous, disciplined, highly decorated warrior.

by Joseph Gary Roy-Rick O’Connor II

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