John was nominated by Natalia Withrow:
He is my amazing father and has told me so many stories. He has come into my ROTC multiple times to tell stories and be a chaperone on competitions. He is known as Chief Dad by my entire squadron. He is was an ANav on submarines and now he works with all the different boats. He fought off pirates in the middle of the ocean at night with a 50 Cal. He’s played football at the North Pole and then got pictures of polar bear coming up to his sub and investigating. He’s been on 5 subs and he joined when he was 16 years old. He is retiring soon with 24 years in the Navy. He is an amazing father and person, I couldn’t have gotten a better father.