Clifton Park Resident John Andonie Promoted to Colonel in the New York Army National Guard

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Col. John Andonie and Major General Steven Wickstrom, Commander of the 42nd Infantry Division following Andonies promotion ceremony on March 19. (SFC Tom Wheeler)

LATHAM, NY (03/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Clifton Park resident John Andonie has been promoted to Colonel in the New York Army National Guard.

Andonie, a veteran of the Iraq War, serves as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the Army National Guard's Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division.

A 1989 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Andonie holds a Masters of Science in Business Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is currently enrolled in the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Andonie has served as a mortar platoon leader, tank platoon leader, tank company executive officer, and armored cavalry troop commander and was an assistant Professor of Military Science at the Reserve Officer Training Program at Sienna College. He has served in a variety of staff positions including Assistant Operations Officer for the 42nd Infantry Division in Iraq, responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the division's Tactical Operations Center, and Director of Plans, Operations and Training for the New York National Guard.

Andonie also commanded the famous 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, which is headquartered at the Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City.

His military awards include the Bronze Star, five Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Parachutists Badge and several New York State awards.

He is a recipient of the Order of St. George, which honors Armor and Cavalry Soldiers and the Order of St. Maurice which honors outstanding Infantry Soldiers.

Andonie and his wife Kathy, who is an officer in the New York National Guard Family Readiness Council, have two daughters Rachel and Elizabeth.