Master Chief Delacerda, a native of Houston, TX, enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1993. Following completion of basic training in Recruit Training Command San Diego, CA, he completed Seaman Apprentice Training in November 1993.
Upon graduation, he reported for duty to USS INGERSOLL (DD 990) homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI. In October 1995, he attended Naval Air Technical Training Center, Millington, TN for Aviation Structural Mechanic Structures “A” School and was appointed to the rank of Petty Officer. His follow-on tours included Strike Fighter Attack Squadron ONE THREE SEVEN, Lemoore, CA, Naval Recruiting District Houston, TX, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SIX, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO SIX, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO, Norfolk, VA, and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) homeported in Everett, WA.
After his selection to Chief Petty Officer in September 2006 and completion of the Senior Enlisted Academy, Newport, RI (Class180) in May 2014, he advanced to Master Chief in April 2015 and was appointed Maintenance Master Chief Petty Officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO FIVE, Yigo, Guam. In January 2017 he was selected as Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific Aviation Maintenance Management Team ONE Maintenance Master Chief Petty Officer. After serving as the Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific Maintenance Master Chief, he was selected to be the Senior Enlisted Advisor and Assistant Officer in Charge of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Detachment Key West, Key West, FL.
Master Chief Delacerda’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (gold star), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two gold stars); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (one silver star and three gold stars); and various service and campaign awards. Master Chief Delacerda has earned the Enlisted Aviation Warfare and Surface Warfare Insignias. Master Chief Delacerda completed all requirements for a general education diploma while aboard his first ship and was awarded a high school diploma from the State of New Jersey. Additionally, he earned his Associates in Arts Degree from the University of Saint Leo, Saint Leo, FL. Mater Chief Delacerda is also a Federal Aviation Administration certificated airframe and power plant mechanic.
Master Chief Delacerda is married to the former Edith Elizabeth Vega. They presently reside in Cudjoe Key, FL and are the proud parents of four children, AE3 Andrea Delacerda, AWS2 Jose Delacerda, University of Portland student Maddison and Sugarloaf Middle school student Prometheus.