Springfield Soldier Retires After 33 Years of Service

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/20/2015)(readMedia)-- Lt. Col. Delbert Ford of Springfield, Illinois, retired after 33 years of military service, 28 with the Illinois Army National Guard. Ford most recently served as an Active Guard reserve (AGR) manager with the Illinois National Guard.

Ford enlisted in 1974 in the United States Air Force as an aerospace ground equipment repairman stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. During his time in the Air Force he was able to travel the globe while being stationed in both Okinawa, Japan and California.

Following a break in military service, Ford joined the Illinois National Guard in 1982 and in 1987 he direct commissioned as a second lieutenant.

During his time in the Illinois National Guard, Ford served in numerous positions including the 108th Battalion Personnel Officer, Safety and Occupational Health Manager and the AGR manager with Joint Force Headquarters.

Ford obtained a bachelor of science degree in secondary education psychology and physical education and a master in science-health community education at the Western Illinois University in Macomb Illinois.

While serving in the Illinois National Guard, Ford received the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Award (3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal (1Bronze star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Fleet Marine Combat Operations Insignia, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 campaign stars), NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Mobilization Device, 2nd Award).

Photo Cutline 1: Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, Assistant Adjutant General-Army of the Illinois National Guard, presents Lt. Col. Delbert Ford of Springfield, Illinois, who was assigned to Illinois Army National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois, a certificate of retirement at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Oct. 17. Ford most recently served as an Active Guard reserve manager for the Illinois National Guard. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Dorsey)