LTC (Ret.) Robert P. Adelhelm (USMC)
LTC (Ret.) Robert P. Adelhelm was born in New Jersey, the oldest of 3 brothers, all law enforcement officers in New Jersey and New York. Adelhelm attended and graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines in 1973 where he went on to serve for 22 years on active duty.
His service included assignments in various command, staff and instructor billets with 8th Marines, 4th Marines, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, Blount Island Command, The Marine Corps Basic School (TBS) Quantico MCB, Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS) NAB Coronado, NROTC University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill / North Carolina State University and Aide-de-Camp for the Assistant Division Commander 3d Marine Division. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Basic School, Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, US Navy Dive School, Naval Aerial Observer School and US Army Airborne School. He was with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines during operations in Beirut, Lebanon. He retired with the rank of LtCol in 1995.
After retirement Adelhelm steadfastly dedicated his life to the betterment of the Veterans community and his fellow Veterans and bringing awareness to the Hidden Wounds of War. He is the founder and past president of the Jacksonville Semper Fidelis Society, life member of the VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America and Marine Corps League; member of the American Legion, Past President of the NE Florida Veterans Council, founder and senior advisor to the Vets 4 Vets Movement, Veteran Advisor to the incarcerated Veterans in Raiford Prison, a 2021 Florida Veterans Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the 2024 Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award.