John received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University in 1968. At Clarkson he played Hockey for the Clarkson Golden Knights.
After graduation he began his career at General Electric in the small aircraft engines group Lynn, Massachusetts before enlisting and entering the Navy in September 1968. He was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola Florida and received his wings in Kingsville Texas in March 1970 with the honor of distinguished naval graduate. He reported to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia for transition to the A6 Intruder followed by assignment to VA-75. He made two deployments with VA-75 and carrier air wing 3 aboard the USS Saratoga: to the Mediterranean in 1971 and to the western Pacific and Viet Nam in 1972. He flew 181 combat missions from May 1972 to January 1973, which included Linebacker II. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, six individual and eleven strike flight Air Medals and two Navy Commendation Medals with combat “V”.
Subsequent Navy assignments included a tour as an advanced flight-training instructor with VT-7. In 1975 he was selected to the Blue Angels where he flew in the opposing and lead solo pilot positions from 1976-1978.
After his Naval service he flew for over 8 years at Eastern Airlines followed by 30 years at Southwest Airlines. With Southwest Airlines he served in a number of management positions including Director of Flight Standards and Chief Technical Pilot.
