Colonel George J. Edelmann, Jr.
Iwo Jima Survivor
1921-2015
Retired USMC Col. George J. Edlemann whose military career began as Second Lt. with the Third Marine Division in the South Pacific died on Tuesday, October 27. One of a dwindling group of World War II heroes who fought gallantly “to make the world safe for democracy,” Col. Edelmann’s most treasured memories of post-World War II were those of General Douglas MacArthur with whom he came in daily contact as he headed up the Marine Detachment in Tokyo, charged with the security of the Armed Forces Command Center. Capt. Edlemann remembered the General as a true icon, forceful and dynamic as needed to be and equally as cordial and attentive.
Directly from college and Parris Island boot training, Col. Edelmann received his “baptism of fire” on Guadalcanal, followed by the battles of Bouganville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. Despite the horror of those campaigns which took the lives of thousands of young American men, including his buddies, he decided to make the Corps his career. He also served in the Korean as well as Viet Nam Wars. Awarded the legion of merit with a Combat “V” for “Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding Service,” Commendation, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific campaign, Victory medal WWII, national Defense Service, Viet Nam Service, and Viet Nam Campaign.
Over thirty years his schooling and assignments included that of logistics and supply, disbursing, budgets, comptrollerships, and Marine Corps stock fund management. For two consecutive years he presented Marine Corps budgets to joint sessions of Congress. His military non-combatant experiences provided Col. Edelmann well with the expertise to continue his post-Corps endeavors successfully.
Upon retirement in January 1969, Col. Edlemann directed the phase-out for almost three years of his Father’s multi-store menswear business. That settled, he then worked in investments and financial planning at Wachcovia for more than twelve years. From there he went on to conduct his own investment business, Semper Associates Financial, for more than fifteen years.
Born on April 3, 1921 I Woodbury, NJ and reared in the Ogontz area of Philadelphia, Col. Edelmann was educated at Holy Child Parochial School, La Salle College High School and La Salle University. He also attended American University, Drexel University, and various Seminars and Service schools, concentrating on graduate-level courses in management, accounting, and business.
A true humanitarian, Col. Edelmann devoted many years of service in the Media Lions Club. In addition to receiving numerous certificates of appreciation and Governor’s cabinet awards, he was designated a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1996-97 for his outstanding commitment to the spirit of Lionism. Col. Edelmann was also a sponsor of the USO and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and an active member of the General Smedley D. Butler Detachment of the Marine Corps League, and Military Officers’ Association.
Col. Edelmann is survived by his wife Philomena and three children from his deceased wife Mary: George III, Robert and Joan. Family and friends are invited to his viewing on Friday from 6 to 8 pm and on Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 am at Carr Funeral Home 935 S. Providence Rd. (Route 320) Wallingford. His Funeral Mass will be on Saturday at 10 am in St. John Chrysostom Church Wallingford. Int. SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his loving memory to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Office of the Archbishop, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299.
Iwo Jima Survivor
1921-2015
Retired USMC Col. George J. Edlemann whose military career began as Second Lt. with the Third Marine Division in the South Pacific died on Tuesday, October 27. One of a dwindling group of World War II heroes who fought gallantly “to make the world safe for democracy,” Col. Edelmann’s most treasured memories of post-World War II were those of General Douglas MacArthur with whom he came in daily contact as he headed up the Marine Detachment in Tokyo, charged with the security of the Armed Forces Command Center. Capt. Edlemann remembered the General as a true icon, forceful and dynamic as needed to be and equally as cordial and attentive.
Directly from college and Parris Island boot training, Col. Edelmann received his “baptism of fire” on Guadalcanal, followed by the battles of Bouganville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. Despite the horror of those campaigns which took the lives of thousands of young American men, including his buddies, he decided to make the Corps his career. He also served in the Korean as well as Viet Nam Wars. Awarded the legion of merit with a Combat “V” for “Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding Service,” Commendation, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific campaign, Victory medal WWII, national Defense Service, Viet Nam Service, and Viet Nam Campaign.
Over thirty years his schooling and assignments included that of logistics and supply, disbursing, budgets, comptrollerships, and Marine Corps stock fund management. For two consecutive years he presented Marine Corps budgets to joint sessions of Congress. His military non-combatant experiences provided Col. Edelmann well with the expertise to continue his post-Corps endeavors successfully.
Upon retirement in January 1969, Col. Edlemann directed the phase-out for almost three years of his Father’s multi-store menswear business. That settled, he then worked in investments and financial planning at Wachcovia for more than twelve years. From there he went on to conduct his own investment business, Semper Associates Financial, for more than fifteen years.
Born on April 3, 1921 I Woodbury, NJ and reared in the Ogontz area of Philadelphia, Col. Edelmann was educated at Holy Child Parochial School, La Salle College High School and La Salle University. He also attended American University, Drexel University, and various Seminars and Service schools, concentrating on graduate-level courses in management, accounting, and business.
A true humanitarian, Col. Edelmann devoted many years of service in the Media Lions Club. In addition to receiving numerous certificates of appreciation and Governor’s cabinet awards, he was designated a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1996-97 for his outstanding commitment to the spirit of Lionism. Col. Edelmann was also a sponsor of the USO and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and an active member of the General Smedley D. Butler Detachment of the Marine Corps League, and Military Officers’ Association.
Col. Edelmann is survived by his wife Philomena and three children from his deceased wife Mary: George III, Robert and Joan. Family and friends are invited to his viewing on Friday from 6 to 8 pm and on Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 am at Carr Funeral Home 935 S. Providence Rd. (Route 320) Wallingford. His Funeral Mass will be on Saturday at 10 am in St. John Chrysostom Church Wallingford. Int. SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his loving memory to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Office of the Archbishop, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299.