John E. Deleski
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
John E. Deleski was with the fourth group of draftees to leave Virginia, Minnesota for Army service in June 1941.
He was a corporal and an infantryman and was with the first convoy to go overseas to Belfast, Ireland, in January 1942.
The convoy had four troops ships, nine destroyers, one heavy cruiser and one aircraft carrier.
He served with the 151st Field Artillery, 134th Division, National Guard, until volunteering for the newly organized 1st Ranger Battalion, which was trained in Scotland by British Commandos.
He participated in invasions in North Africa and Italy. He also served in the continental United States at Camp Hood, Texas, and Fort Knox, Kentucky.
He was discharged on Dec. 15, 1944.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 67.
