John served his country honorably and faithfully in the US Army Horse Cavalry, the US Marines Corps and the US Air Force. During his 3 years in the US Ary Horse Cavalry he was stationed at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois as a Corporal.. He joined the US Marine Corps and served during WWII with the 1st Marine Air Group, 1st Marine Division in the Pacific participating in operations at the Battle of Guadacanal, Battle of Leyete Islands, Battle of Saipan and Battle of Guam. Discharged in 1950 and joined the US Air Force and served for 23 years participating in the Korean War before teaching ROTC at Iowa University. He joined the American Red Cross as Field Director for 17 years stationed at Ft. Sam Houston and Ft. Hood doing 2 tours of Vietnam. He was the recipient of 3 Freedom Foundation Awards and Certificate of Merit for Lifesaving.