“Forever Loved, Never Forgotten”
The Navy Gold Star Program is eternally grateful for the sacrifice of those Service Members who have died in service to our country. To help us to never forget, we have set up this tribute page to honor and remember the memory of those lives. If you would like to honor the memory of your Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman through the Navy Gold Star website please submit your thoughts and a photo.
LT Valerie Cappelaere Delaney served as an EA-6B Prowler pilot in Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. She was a 2009 graduate of the Naval Academy who majored in Aerospace Engineering. She was instrumental in Navy Women’s Lacrosse rising from a club sport to an NCAA Division I competitive team.
Valerie began her flight training at NAS Pensacola, FL, then at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, where she flew the T-34C Turbo-Mentor. She continued on to NAS Meridian, MS, flying the T-45 Goshawk. Val earned her Wings of Gold in February of 2012, becoming a Navy jet pilot! She married fellow USNA classmate and Navy Growler pilot, Sean Delaney. They made their home in Anacortes, WA, where they enjoyed the outdoors.
Valerie was conducting a low-level flight training mission in eastern Washington state, when the jet she was piloting crashed, leaving no survivors. She was just 26 years old. Val is remembered as a person of great integrity, strong faith, and an unyielding compassion for all those she met. She faced all challenges with enthusiasm and her motto, Adapt and Overcome!
Valerie began her flight training at NAS Pensacola, FL, then at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, where she flew the T-34C Turbo-Mentor. She continued on to NAS Meridian, MS, flying the T-45 Goshawk. Val earned her Wings of Gold in February of 2012, becoming a Navy jet pilot! She married fellow USNA classmate and Navy Growler pilot, Sean Delaney. They made their home in Anacortes, WA, where they enjoyed the outdoors.
Valerie was conducting a low-level flight training mission in eastern Washington state, when the jet she was piloting crashed, leaving no survivors. She was just 26 years old. Val is remembered as a person of great integrity, strong faith, and an unyielding compassion for all those she met. She faced all challenges with enthusiasm and her motto, Adapt and Overcome!