SIGONELLA, Italy — Cmdr. Denny Shelton, USN, of Coal Grove, officially retired from the U.S. Navy June 1 after honorably serving 20 years as a naval officer.

Shelton served his final tour as the Air Operations Officer onboard U.S. Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sicily. He was honored with a formal ceremony April 8.

Shelton is a 1986 graduate of Dawson-Bryant High School and graduated from Miami University in Oxford, earning a bachelors of science degree in aeronautics and a commission in May 1990.

He then reported to the Naval Aviation Training Command in June 1990, earned his “Wings of Gold” and was designated a naval aviator March 27, 1992.

During his service he was assigned with various aviation squadrons including Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light. He was also an instructor pilot with the “Rangers” of Training Squadron 28. His shipboard deployments included time aboard USS Crommelin, USS Deyo and the USS Kearsarge.

Shelton completes his Navy career having flown 4,000 hours of flight time in six different aircraft.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, three Battle Efficiency Awards and other personal and unit commendations.

He is the son of Larry and Barbara Shelton of Coal Grove and is married to the former Anne-Louise Harrington of Reston, Va.

They have three sons William, Johnathan, and Andrew.