Weldon Fader DeLong was born on 18 September 1916 in Baras Corner, Nova Scotia, Canada.

In early 1946 DeLong was decommissioned and assigned to the Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida.

After a short training period DeLong was assigned to Escort Squadron Eight, Destroyer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

On 3 January 1958, DeLong was assigned Group II status, joining the newly formed Reserve ASW Program in the 3d Naval District.

During the Berlin Crisis of 1960–1961, DeLong was assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet as part of Escort Squadron 18 and homeported in Newport, Rhode Island.