The family of CDR Delvin Smith, 94, has requested the assistance of the Patriot Guard Riders in honoring their Hero on the occasion of his Final Military Honors at Riverside National Cemetery. We will proudly accommodate that request.
Our Hero enlisted in the United States Navy in 1947 after high school. Within two years, he was selected to attend the United States Naval Academy. He graduated and was commissioned in 1953 and was assigned to the cruiser CLC-1 Northampton. He was selected for submarine school and served on The Seapoacher SS406 and the Amberjack SS522.
His next assignment was at submarine school as a submarine tactics instructor. Our Hero then served as XO on the Hardhead SS365 and the Sam Houston SSBN609. He served two deployments in Vietnam aboard the Mispillion AO105. He also served as Director of Fleet Ballistic Missile Training at submarine school.
Delvin was later assigned to Staff ComFair, Quonset NAS. Two years later, he was assigned to staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as the head of Navigation and Geo-Physics section. This was during the initial deployment NAVSTAR GPS.
At the time of his retirement in 1974 from the USN, he was a Navy Commander (O-5). He continued in GPS development at Magnavox Corporation as a project manager for military and civilian equipment, retiring in 1994.
Our Hero was preceded in death by his wife, Connie. He is survived by his two sons, two daughters, seven grand/step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, this is a flag line only (FLO) mission at Riverside National Cemetery. For those who would like to participate, please see the timetable and we will meet you there
Timetable for Friday, 06 Oct 20230945 - Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518 (Lemay Blvd, near the restrooms).
https://goo.gl/maps/T2kTjRpwu7Egba1W81000 - Mission briefing
1015 - Await arrival of Hero’s coach and KSU to assigned cortège
1045 - KSU to assigned shelter for flag line and military honors.
Steve “Capt Chaos” Blumenfeld
SoCal PGR Ride CaptainSSGT USAF 1970-1974
steveb507alrpgr@gmail.com
661-212-2284
You do not have to be a veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
