The Army Scholarship Foundation has awarded its 2025-2026 Captain Gerald T. Delk Honorary Scholarship to Mr. Derek Odar of Deerfield Beach, FL. Derek is the son of retired Sergeant First Class & Mrs. Elias Odar. SFC Odar served in combat in Afghanistan. Derek is a junior at Florida Atlantic University majoring in Medicine and Neurological Science.

Navy Captain Gerald Delk grew up in Midland, TX. After earning degrees in Biology and Chemistry from SMU in 1993, he accepted an Army scholarship for medical school and completed his Doctorate of Medicine at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in 1998. Dr Delk completed Emergency Medicine Residency training in the Army at Ft. Hood, Texas in 2001.

Dr. Delk’s first assignment was Landstuhl Regional Hospital in Germany, 2001-2005. During that time, he was deployed to Kosovo in 2002 and to Iraq in 2003 as battalion surgeon for 1-36 Infantry, 1st Armored Division for 15 months during the invasion of Iraq. He was one of a few physicians who had deployed for that length of time since the Vietnam War and for his actions he was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Medical Badge. His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for combat operations in Sadr City, Najaf, and Karbala, Iraq.

After a brief transition to civilian practice, Dr. Delk’s desire to serve his country again motivated him into accepting a commission into the US Navy Reserve. In 2013, Lieutenant Commander Delk served as a trauma team leader at the Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. After his return, he was appointed the Specialty Leader for the Navy Reserves from 2014 to 2018. In 2015, CDR Delk supported the Marines for his fourth deployment for nine months assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command. During this deployment, he served as the Task Force Surgeon and led a surgical team during six offensive operations against ISIS that led to their defeat in the Euphrates River Valley.

Upon return, CDR Delk served Fleet Surgeon with US Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, THIRD Fleet in San Diego, and SECOND Fleet in Norfolk. Dr. Delk was promoted to Navy CAPTAIN and subsequently selected to oversee medical operations for the Marine Corps in the Middle East. Dr. Delk is currently assigned as Force Surgeon, US Marine Corps Forces, Central Command at MacDill Air Base, FL. Dr. Delk has completed military training at the Navy War College, Marine Command and Staff College, and Joint Forces Staff College. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Marine and Navy Commendation Medal (2, one with a combat Device), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Fleet Marine Forces Warfare device, and multiple campaign awards (4).

Finally, Dr. Delk owns four urgent cares and one family practice in West Texas. He is happily married to Gwen Delk for the past 17 years where they have adopted several animals and big supporters of the Austin Humane Society.

The Army Scholarship Foundation was established as the Paladin Foundation in 2001 by members of the USMA Class of 1992 in the spirit of the Academy’s mission to prepare leaders for a lifetime of service to the nation. The Foundation was renamed The Army Scholarship Foundation in 2006. The Foundation provides scholarships to deserving sons and daughters of Army soldiers and veterans, and to spouses of enlisted active-duty soldiers. The Foundation is sustained by the generous donations of its supporters. Tax deductible contributions can be sent to the Foundation at 11700 Preston Road, Suite 660-301, Dallas, Texas 75230. To learn more about the Army Scholarship Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.ArmyScholarshipFoundation.org.