Donald J. Delandro Brigadier General (Ret.)
On Friday, January 29, 2021, beloved husband of Doretha Scott Delandro for 63 years, devoted father and uncle, Brigadier General (Retired) Donald J. Delandro of Alexandria, VA, transitioned into eternal peace. Don came into this world on July 20, 1935 in New Orleans, LA born to Angelo and Catherine Weatherspoon Delandro. Don attended Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and graduated (Cum Laude) in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and subsequently attended the University of Chicago where he attained a Master of Business Administration. Subsequent to graduation he entered the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant on August 27, 1956 at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served 30 years as an officer and retired as the Adjutant General, United States Army on September 30, 1985. After retiring from the Army Don founded Affordable Supply Company, Inc., a full-line service supply and management company in 1986. In accordance with COVID-19 regulations, the Celebration of Life service will be private, but can be viewed on Facebook live. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the following organizations: National Processing Center, Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or www.alz.org, and/or Southern University System Foundation, P.O. Box 9562, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 or www.foundation.sus.edu. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date to be determined. Arrangement by Greene Funeral Home, Inc., Alexandria, VA.

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Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for DONALD DELANDRO

11 Entries

Melvin R Mckenzie Jr

February 2, 2025

General Delandro did something when he was a lieutenant in Iran that marked him to become a hgneral, but I do not know the story. He sent me into the Sinia in 1982, that marked me to become a peacemaker and a saviour of Israel and Peace with Egypt for the last half century. Began, Saddot, and Carter got the Nobel. I got the Legion of Merit. I am forever grazeful to him

Shirley Carter-Hall

November 10, 2024

The best branch chief I've ever had the pleasure of working with . I retired after 34 years.

LTC MELVIN R MCKENZIE JR

September 13, 2024

I have often thought that General Delandro's incisive decision sending me into the Sinai dramatizes why he became a general officer.

Colonel Mc Kenzie

LTC MELVIN R MCKENZIE JR

September 12, 2024

1982, Brigadier General Delandro--The Adjutant General of the Army--directed me to go into the Sinai and set up postal logistics for the Military Force and Observers (MFO) under the Camp David Accords, the treaty between Israel and Egypt to transfer the desert back to Egypt. The problem presented when I visited the MFO headquarters in Washington by the MFO lawyers was that I could not do anything because a staus of forces agreement (SOFA) had not been established.

I did not tell Delandro or anybody else of the SOFA problem, and so I faked it by going into the Sinai. When I arrived I went to the project engineer constructing two bases to arrange construction of two post offices in Sharm El Sheik (south) and Ophira (north). [The MFO was created to keep Israel and Egypt separated!]

Then I focused on military mail movement into the Sinai, first via Cairo--since the Sinia would again be Egyptian territory. But that meant moving it across the desert to the Eastern side of the Sinai where the defense line was set up. So I settled on moving it out of Tel Aviv, a few miles away, where it could be choptered to south base (or trucked), or even moved by charter air to south base directly from Tel Aviv airport. Moreover, the US Air Force APO at the US Embassy could move it and receive retrograde military mail. [I ALSO DID NOT TELL EUROPEAN COMMAND, ELIMINATING ANY POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE.]

So then the problem was to get the 20-foot sea container of postal supplies and equipment shipped from Fort Bragg, stuck in an Israeli port, moved to the Sinai. I gave that to the sergeant sent from Bragg to assist me, which I arranged in a visit to an element of the XVII CORPS.

Meanwhile, we were harassed by the Israeli Air Force and Army elements that did not really want to give back territory fought for. They sonic boomed construction and turned off our water supply. Troops were arriving.

So I wrote a report detailing what was happening, took it handwritten on a yellow legal pad to the Embassy in Tel Aviv, and simply asked the military attache' to send it to the world. I returned to New York having done all the things I was not supposed to do.

My boss received a call from the commander of Forces Command wanting to know what I was up to. It is true I had become a pariah to the CIA and State Department security. I did not know it but my yellow pad report went up to the Secretary of State who shared it with tbe Secretary of Defense, forewarning them of a pending disaster. My boss told the four-star Forcecom commander that "if Mckenzie said it, bank on it".

Just now I realized what an act of faith General Delandro had acted on in sending me to the Sinai, for my report had something to do with the successful implementation of the Camp David Accords--not just postal logistics--- and, eight months later, the establishment of US Central Command to enable the US TO MANAGE OPERATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AND SOUTHWEST ASIA. Operation Desert Storm became a possibility a few years later. When I received the Legion of Merit I did not realize the connection to the Sinai adventure.

Note that Begin and Sadat received the Nobel Peace Prize. I reckon I helped them out, too.

Colonel Mc Kenzie, Barium '58, Davidson '62, BU '72

Calvin Miller

July 7, 2024

Sorry for our lost.

Pamela Riggins

January 29, 2022

Today, I am remembering General Delandro and his family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Pam Riggins

Pamela Riggins

October 14, 2021

Dear BG Delandro's Family,
I offer my condolences. I was blessed to have met BG Delandro, when I was a second lieutenant. His service demonstrated his care for "Soldiers First." I will cherish our meeting and his giving me a signed autographed photo of himself. He was our inspirational guest speaker at our Adjutant General Basic Course 12-83 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on October 14,1983. May God bless and keep you. He was a true distinguished American Hero in service to his country! God bless you always,
Pamela Riggins
Captain, USA (Former)

Karyn Jackson

April 9, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Karyn Jackson

April 9, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Donald L Scott

February 12, 2021

Brigadier General Don Delandro represented the best of humanity in his life and accomplishments. He modeled being a great son, husband of Doretha, father of Dawn, soldier and general officer of all who served with him in the United States Army and was an esteemed brother in the bond of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. We will certainly miss Don and support Doe, Dawn and son-in-law Stephen with our prayers and good thoughts during this difficult time.
In service and in the bond,
Don Scott
BG, USA retired

Michael L Cherry

February 9, 2021

I respected him as a man and his life's accomplishments. It was a pleasure to work for him and his company with the Job Corps. He was always fair and expected excellence from me as an employee and for myself. He has made a deep impact in the African American community here in DC. My prayers and condolences to Dawn and Mrs. Delandro.

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