John Ionoff, Jr.

Colonel John Ionoff, Jr. joined the U.S. Army, 1 September 1955. After serving as an infantryman in the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Armored Division and 172nd Infantry Brigade, (Sep) and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was selected to attend Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, graduating 6 November 1963. | Colonel Ionoff's many assignments include: Command of an Infantry OCS Company; Command of C Co, 2nd Bn 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam; S-3, 2 Bn 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam; Assistant G-3 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam; District Senior Advisor, Can-Giuoc District, Vietnam; S-3 and Executive Officer, 1st Bn 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division; ROTC Instructor, Bucknell University; Commander, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division; Staff Officer, Plans and Operations, DCSOPS, Dept of the Army; Inspector General, Virginia National Guard; Inspector General, 101st Airborne Division and Inspector General, U.S. Army Pacific. | In addition to Officer Candidate School, Colonel Ionoff attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Special Forces Officer Qualification Course, Command and General Staff College and the Naval War College. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration from University of Nebraska, Omaha and a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. | Among his awards and decorations are: the Silver Star, Legion of Merit w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Virginia National Guard Legion of Merit, Air Medal (5), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantryman Badge, Airborne and Air Assault Badges and the Army General Staff Identification Badge. | Colonel Ionoff was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1991. He is a Distinguished Member of the 47th Infantry Regiment and Order of Saint Maurice Recipient PRIMICERIUS.