GENERAL CHARLES E. WILHELM, U.S. MARINE CORPS (RETIRED) 

General Wilhelm holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Florida Southern College, a Master of Science Degree in Management from Salve Regina University and an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations from Florida Southern.  He is an honor graduate of the Army Infantry Officer’s Advance Course and a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College.  During his 37-year military career, General Wilhelm saw combat service in Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia and the Persian Gulf.  An airborne qualified infantry officer, he commanded units at every level.  Promoted to Brigadier General in 1988 he served successively as Director of Operations at Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon, Deputy Commander Joint Task Force Proven Force during the Persian Gulf War, Commander of the First Marine Division, Commander of Marine Forces in Somalia, Commander of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Commander of Marine Forces in the Atlantic, Europe and South America.  In September 1997, General Wilhelm received his fourth star and assumed duties as Commander in Chief of the United States Southern Command.  In this capacity General Wilhelm directed U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and Central and South America until his retirement in September of 2000.  He hold numerous personal and campaign decorations to include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal and the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation and Army commendations Medals each with Combat “V”.  The governments of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and Vietnam have also decorated him.