Hometown General Honored In Holmdel With Road Dedication

HOLMDEL, NJ — It was a warm homecoming for retired U.S. Army Gen. John H. Tilelli Jr., who was raised in Holmdel.

Tilelli was honored by the Township Committee at a ceremony Thursday to dedicate a portion of Crawford's Corner Road in his honor.

Prior to retirement several years ago, Tilelli, 80, rose through the ranks to become Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command, and Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command in Korea, according to a news release from the township.

Tilelli served two tours in the Vietnam War, four in Germany and three in the Pentagon. His combat tours included assignments as a company commander in Vietnam and as commander of the 1st Cavalry Division during the Gulf War, according to online information.

Holmdel was joined by special guests, including Gen. Lisa Hou, the Adjutant General of the New Jersey National Guard and Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Capt. Edward Callahan, the commander of United States Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck.

And as part of the event, Holmdel hosted its first veterans roundtable discussion.

Holmdel veterans were able to discuss concerns and ask questions with Tilelli, Hou and Callahan.

Then Holmdel held a ceremony during which Mayor Gregory Buontempo, Deputy Mayor Prakash Santhana and Committeemen DJ Luccarelli and Rocco Impreveduto dedicated a portion of Crawfords Corner Road in honor of General Tilelli.

Tilelli was raised in Holmdel on Crawfords Corner Road and Everett Road.

At the well-attended ceremony, the township officials unveiled the dedication sign to the public.

Tilelli said in an interview to News 12 New Jersey that "the ideals and seeds of everything you are are where you came from" and that American service members, like him, come from all over the United States.