Veteran Spotlight

Jan Klebukowski’s passion for aviation and space ignited in his youth, inspired by a visit to the 1964-65 World’s Fair in New York and witnessing the moon landing on television. His interest deepened at Glen Cove South School, also known as the “World of Tomorrow School,” which featured a planetarium and offered model rocketry and basic electronics classes. This early education, combined with electronics training from Grumman Data Systems Institute, led him to enlist in the Air Force in 1985. His training at Lackland, Lowry, and Mountain Home Air Force Bases prepared him for a 22-year career in active duty and the Air National Guard, specializing in aircraft maintenance and communications systems.

In 1939, the submarine USS Squalus (SS 192) suffered a major failure in its main induction valve, causing it to flood and sink 240 feet below the ocean's surface. McDonald was tasked with leading the rescue and salvage operations. His leadership during this mission earned him the Medal of Honor, alongside fellow divers and recipients William Badders, John Mihalowski, and Orson L. Crandall. Their heroic efforts were honored in a ceremony on January 19, 1940, at the Navy Department offices, where former Navy Secretary Charles Edison presented them with the medals.

Born in June 1965, Clothier attended John Dickinson High School in Wilmington, Delaware, before continuing his education at Hodgson Vocational School, where he discovered his passion for electrical trades. He joined the Navy in October 1987 as an electrician and served honorably until 1991, concluding his service on the USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192) as a petty officer third class.

After enlisting in 1986, Macmillan was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1987. Over his 29-year Army career, he held various roles within the Army Reserve, including positions in infantry, transportation, and logistics. In 2004, he deployed to Kuwait, where he served as the assistant operations officer for the 143rd U.S. Transport Command (TRANSCOM) at Camp Arifjan. In 2008, he took on the role of deputy commanding officer for the 55th Sustainment Brigade at Joint Base Balad in Iraq.