John Clipp Sr.

John Clipp Sr. enlisted in the Army in August 1989 and served for 20 years.

As a member of the 101st Airborne Division, 4th Brigade, 1/506th Currahees, he undertook multiple stateside and overseas assignments, including Fort Benning, Germany, Fort Campbell, Hawaii, and Fort Sill. He later deployed with Task Force 190 to Haiti, served in Iraq during the Invasion of Iraq, and fought in the Battle of Ramadi. In Mosul, Iraq, he was wounded in action after a hand grenade detonated at close range, earning him the Purple Heart.

Along with his Purple Heart, SFC Clipp received the Soldier’s Medal, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Saint Maurice Award, multiple ARCOMs and AAMs, the Combat Infantry Badge and Expert Infantry Badge, the German Marksmanship Badge, Malaysian Tracker qualification, Fast Rope and Rappel Master certifications, instructor certifications, and advanced urban warfare training.

Married and the father of two sons and two stepsons, SFC Clipp worked as a farm hand prior to entering the Army, where he went on to serve a distinguished 20‑year career. Clipp enjoys hunting, fishing, and taking veterans into the outdoors. He volunteers at multiple CAST for Kids events, taking special needs and disabled children fishing for the day. He also enjoys drawing and training dogs for hunting or service work.