By: Richard L. Smith
Marco Polo Smigliani, an Italian immigrant and decorated Marine Corps veteran, received special honors this week during a Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, and the Judiciary.
The event celebrated veterans' sacrifices and featured music by the Sandpipers, Pipes, and Drums of Atlantic County and Trooper Michael Basti.
Smigliani, a four-time Purple Heart recipient and member of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to the veteran community.
Active in several organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, the VFW, and the American Legion, Smigliani has dedicated his life to supporting fellow veterans.
Born in post-World War II Italy, Smigliani immigrated to the United States with his family, seeking a better life. At 17, he joined the Merchant Marines, serving as a navigator on the SS Columbia Eagle, delivering munitions to U.S. forces during the Vietnam War.
Later, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served with the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, a group famously known as "The Walking Dead." During his service, Smigliani was wounded several times and awarded four Purple Hearts.
His experiences left a permanent mark—he still carries shrapnel in his arm from his time in Vietnam.
In retirement, Smigliani remains deeply involved in veteran support efforts, serving with the Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board, the South Jersey Veterans Consortium, and other veteran organizations.
Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds praised his dedication, remarking, "There's a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid by those who have not served, and I am one of them."
Judge Bernard DeLury of the Atlantic/Cape May County Superior Court, a Navy veteran who served as a judge advocate and was recalled for active duty in 2004 and 2007, was also recognized at the event.
During this time, he was responsible for determining the combatant status of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, including high-value detainees associated with the Taliban and al-Qaida.
DeLury retired as a Captain in 2011, earning numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit and the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
Judge DeLury now leads Atlantic County's Veterans Diversion Program, which helps veterans facing criminal charges access support and resources instead of prosecution.
"There's no greater advocate for peace than those who are called upon to keep it, even at the cost of life and limb," he said during the ceremony.
Chief Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor John Flammer, a U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, closed with a poignant tribute: "Their service is the reason we live in freedom today; their continued service ensures we live in freedom tomorrow."