Delmar Frank Mapes was born November 21, 1932 in Eli, NE to Fank LeRoy and Josephine Adeline (Taylor) Mapes, joining his older sister Nettie Mae. He died April 18, 2026 in Austin, TX.
Delmar attended rural Cherry County Nebraska School District 132 at Eli, through the eighth grade and started high school in Cody, NE - then quit when he was needed to help support the family.
He worked for several different ranches including the Churn. He was very good at breaking horse and rode bucking broncs in rodeos.
Delmar enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. He participated in many places included in 1955, the testing of series of 17 nuclear detonations. He was stationed in Alaska during the search for Gary Powers down over Russia; in 1963 he went through H-43B helicopter training, and then in 1965 there was training to go to Vietnam. He served two tours in Vietnam and one out of Thailand. In 1969, he served in South Korea during the Pueblo Crisis. He was with the Apollo 15 Launch Site Recovery Forces in 1971. Delmar was promoted to Master Sergeant, and retired January 31, 1973 and lived in Austin, TX.
Delmar’s awards and medals:
• 1956 0 Recognition for being part of the Operation Redwing. This was the second U.S. test series devoted to proving thermonuclear designs of actual weapons. Testing the MK-28 warhead, a light small diameter thermonuclear design 20 inch diameter.
• 1962 - Good Conduct medal with Bronze or Silver loops for demonstration of exemplary behavior and fidelity, December 10, 1958 December 9, 1961.
• 1965 - Air Force Good Conduct medal, December 10, 1961 - December 9, 1964.
• 1966 - January Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement while participating in Aerial Flight October 10, 1965.
• 1966 - March Air Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, October 30, 1965.
• 1966 - August Air Medal 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, December 9, 1965.
• 1966 - September Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, October 2, 1965 - August 2, 1965.
• 1966 - December Distinguished Flying Cross, July 8, 1966, for heroism while participating in an aerial flight.
• 1967 - January Air Medal 3rd through 10th Oak Leaf Cluster, November 1, 1965 - July 13, 1966 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 5010 Air Base Wing and Delmar Mapes personally.
• 1968 - December Air Force Commendation medal for Meritorious Service, July 26, 1968 - December 19, 1968.
• 1969 - September Air Medal 11th Oak Leaf Cluster, July 3, 1969 - August 21, 1969.
• 1969 - November - Distinguished Flying Cross, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster for Servicer, August 18, 1969.
• 1969 - Helicopter Rescue Award for skill and courage while participating as a crew member August 18, 1968, in a lifesaving mission with a Sikorsky helicopter.
• 1969 - November Air Medal 12th Oak Leaf Cluster, August 23 to October 21, 1969.
• 1969 - December Air Medal 13th Oak Leaf Cluster, October 22 - November 30, 1969.
• 1970 - February Air Medal 14th Oak Leaf Cluster, December 9, 1969.
• 1970 - May Air Medal 15th Oak Leaf Cluster January 6, February 10, 1970.
• 1970 - Helicopter Rescue Award Crew member on Silorsky helicopter January 5-14, 1970.
• 1971 - June Distinguished Flying Cross, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster, November 5, 1969.
• 1970 - April Air Medal 17th Oak Leaf Cluster, February 11 - March 29, 1970.
• 1970 - June 1970 Air Medal 18th and 19th Oak Leaf Cluster, March 30, 1970.
• 1970 - July Air Medal 20th Oak Leaf Cluster, May 20 - June 4, 1970.
• 1971 - Apollo Award and Medallion - Launch Site Recovery Force, Apollo 15, July 26, 1971 received Apollo 11 Medallion.
This humble Sergeant says that earning his GED soon after enlisting in the Air Fore is one of the accomplishments he was most proud of.
He married Amy Varnell Voigt September 18, 1955 in Texas. They were blessed with five boys: Russell, Mark, Brian and Steven.
Amy died February 19, 2022. The family will have an inurment service at a later date when they can get together to celebrate Delmar’s life.
More obituaries on page 4
