By Trina A. San Agustin
Variety News Staff

A SAILOR injured in an explosion on the USS Frank Cable in December died in Texas on May 1 due to the injuries he sustained, according to a spokesperson for the Commander of Naval Forces Northern Marianas, or COMNAVMAR.
Chief Petty Officer Delfin Dulay, 42, passed away while being treated for his injuries at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, said COMNAVMAR public information officer Lt. Donnell Evans.
Eight crewmembers were injured in the December incident. Six were taken to Texas for treatment.
One of the six, Machinery Repairman Fireman Jack B. Valentine, 20, of Illinois, died on Dec. 7 as a result of his injuries.
The remaining five remain in very serious condition, one was released late in December.
According to the USS Frank Cable Web site, the four USS Cable sailors, including Dulay, were awarded the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their heroic actions during the December incident.
A ceremony was held on April 6 at the medical center auditorium for Machinist’s Mate First Class Robert Bruce II, Machinist’s Mate Second Class Michael Lammey, and Machinist’s Mate Third Class Matthew Bove. All received burns and other injuries during the incident.
A second ceremony was held in Dulay’s room at the medical center that same day. Dulay had been in the intensive care unit in critical condition since he was brought to Texas in December.
According to the Web site, Dulay’s wife, two sons, parents, and sister traveled from the Philippines to be at the ceremony last month.
“Bruce dedicated his award to Valentine and Lammey recognized Bruce for his leadership,” according to the USS Frank Cable Web site.
The injured sailors, along with numerous others, were in the steam room when the explosion happened. Several of the sailors put their lives at risk in an effort to save others.
According to a press release in December from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the accident occurred on the evening of Dec. 1 after the USS Frank Cable had returned from sea to Apra Harbor.
“Personnel were conducting routine preventive maintenance checks of steam safety valves when the number one boiler experienced a major steam leak into the fire box, rupturing an exhaust plenum and sending pressurized steam into the Fire Room,” the USS Frank Cable Web site says.