Born and raised in suburban Detroit. John Joined the Marines as soon as eligible. Five years later he joined the Army to attend OCS and became an officer. After Airborne, Armor and Jungle training, he served a year and a half in the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Troop Commander in and around the jungles north of Saigon in Vietnam. He was an improvisor, and a successful combat leader, but suffered terribly from his troopers who were killed or injured in battle. John has come back to tell the story of how with a prayer on his lips he and his awesome Cavalrymen charged through the gates of Hell.