Robert E. Kelley

At Rutgers, Robert E. Kelley was a leader, distinguished in both academics and athletics: co-captain of the varsity football and lacrosse teams, Air Force ROTC wing commander, and Distinguished Military Graduate. His Air Force career took him from “top gun” fighter pilot to senior command positions. During the Vietnam War, he flew 119 combat missions and was an executive officer at Tactical Air Control Center, Tan Son Nhut Air Base. At age 43, Kelley became the youngest brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force. He was later appointed superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy and director of the Air Force Academy Foundation. His many decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, eight Air Medals, Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, and the Gallantry Cross with Palm. In 1986, he became a consultant to the defense industry. Kelley was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1984, and in 1999, he won the national championship in squash for his age group. Kelley also served as board chair for Kids Voting USA in 1998, and from 1999–2001 was president of the Freedoms Foundation.