Honor A Veteran

Albany County Honors World War II Veteran James J. Delfino, Jr.

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee commemorated World War II veteran James J. Delfino, Jr. A ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 2, 2003, in the Cahill Room of the Albany County Office Building.

Delfino lived almost his whole life in Watervliet and graduated from St. Brigid’s Academy and Albany Business College. He served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946 as a gunners mate aboard the USS Baxter during World War II, receiving the Philippine Liberation Two Stars, the Asiatic Pacific Three Stars, American Theatre Victory Medal and a citation from President Harry Truman.

Delfino was employed at the Watervliet Arsenal from 1941-1943 and owned Jim’s Barber Shop in the Port Schuyler section of Watervliet from 1946-2002. He was a longtime barber at the Albany County jail. Delfino was very active in the veteran community and held many leadership positions, including commander of the Thomas B. Flynn Jr. American Legion Post #1035 from 1954-55, house chairman of the American Legion Post #1035, Albany County American Legion commander from 1982-83 and a delegate for the Albany County American Legion Convention for over 25 years and a national delegate for 10 years. He was also an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, the Watervliet PBA and Police Department, the NY Sheriff’s Association, the Schuyler Heights Fire Co., a 25-year member of the Watervliet Lodge of Elks #1500, Watervliet VFW Post #729 and a longtime Democratic committeeman for the City of Watervliet.  

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