Biography
Colonel John Ionoff graduated from the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1963 after eight years of enlisted service. His military service included duty in CONUS, Germany, Korea, combat command in Vietnam in the 47th Infantry, battalion command in the 101st Airborne Division, and duty as the Inspector General, U.S. Army Pacific. Colonel Ionoff retired from the Army after 38 years and 3 months of active duty service. His highest awards include the Silver Star and Legion of Merit. Other honors include Distinguished Member of the 47th Infantry Regiment and Honorary Commander of the 47th Infantry Regiment. He is also a recipient of the Order of St. Maurice, Primicerius.Colonel Ionoff joined the U.S. Army OCS Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2013 and served as the Vice President of Administration. He assumed duty as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2015. John is credited with saving the Association and returning it to fiscal solvency while accomplishing an organizational restructure. The result was a new Board of Directors, Organizational Purpose and Mission Statement, a revision of the Association Bylaws, increased membership, establishment of USAA as a Corporate Sponsor and a number of successful projects led by Board Members that improved the viability and reputation of the Association. These efforts include establishment of Association Chapters, four successful Alumni Reunions, Veterans Honors in our Nation's Capital and Arlington National Cemetery, the OCS Memorial Walk, the funding effort to establish the OCS Heritage Center, the OCS alumni website and the improved Public Affairs Program.
Colonel Ionoff was a unanimous selection as the first recipient of the Nett Award.