Tyrus Robert Delaney was born on October 28, 1922. He was one of a family of eight children. He attended St. Mary's Grade School and Academy and was graduated in June, 1941, being awarded a graduation medal for being the best athlete in school. During the vacation season of 1941 he was employed at different times as a life guard, at Sandy Beach, in the A & P Store on State St., a bell hop in the Seymour House and finally sailing for a brief period on the upper Lakes. His career as a sailor was cut short by an injury which he suffered in falling into the hold while en route up the Lakes. He was sent to a Marine hospital in Buffalo and upon recovering returned home and the same fall entered Syracuse University. He joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps and later was called for Army service.

Tyrus was inducted at Fort Niagara Feb. 9, 1942 and trained at the following stations: Miami Beach, Fla.; Scott Field, Ill.; Yuma, Ariz.; Lincoln. Neb and Dyersburg, Tenn. He went overseas in August. 1944, as a member of the Fighting 8th Air Force, being a technical sergeant on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was qualified to serve as radio navigator and flexible gunner. His squadron was based in England and then Scotland before going to France.

Tsgt Delaney was Killed in Action when their plane crashed on February 26, 1945 in France during a bombing mission. He is now buried in the Saint Mary's Cemetery, Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York, USA. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com