John Neilson is from Troy, New York. He served in the United States Army from December 1985 until January 1995. He received One Station Unit Training at Ft. Benning, GA as an Infantryman. Upon his arrival to Europe, he voluntarily reclassified into being a Personnel Administration Specialist at 1st PERSCOM. He served 8 years with the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) Artillery in every facet of a PAC Clerk, PSNCO, and PAC Supervisor, to include 2 months of being the DivArty Acting Adjutant. During his assignment to the 2/29th FA, he deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He then moved to the 1st Replacement Company at Fort Riley, Kansas.
His awards and decorations include the Valorious Unit Award, Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3rd OLC), Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Southwest Asia Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Saudi and Kuwait Governments, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award) and the German Navy Marksmanship Badge, Gold Award.
He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in May 1997 as an Annual Member at Large. In December 1997 he became a Life Member of Iron Rock Post 2566 where he was elected as the Post Junior Vice Commander. Since then he has held other VFW positions which include the below listed positions:
- 1997-98 National Aide-de-Camp
- National Service Resolutions Committee Member 1998 & 1999
- Department Webmaster
- Grand Junior Vice Commander
- Grand Adjutant
- District Junior Vice Commander
- District Adjutant/Quartermaster
- District Trustee
- Pup Tent Seam Squirrel
- Post All American and All State Commander
- Post Adjutant
- Post Quartermaster
- POW/MIA Chairman
- Publicity Officer
- Community Activities Chairman
- Membership Chairman
- Post Historian
Achievements and Memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States:
- Top Recruiter (Europe List) for 1997-98, 1998-99, & 1999-2000
- Military Order of the Cootie (MOC)
- VFW National Home (Life Member)
- Department of Europe Beer Busters (Life Member)
- Texas Horny Toads (Life Member)
- Gravedigger
- Outstanding Adjutant Award (1998 & 1999)
- Outstanding Public Relations Chairman