Clifton Park man promoted to general
LATHAM, N.Y. >> John Andonie, a Clifton Park resident and Iraq War veteran became the New York National Guard’s newest general officer during recent ceremonies at Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham.
Andonie, who currently serves as chief of staff for the New York Army National Guard, was promoted to brigadier general (one-star).
He will move into a new position as director of joint staff, responsible for coordinating joint Army and Air National Guard operations.
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, described Andonie as a “consummate professional” and a “wonderful, wonderful leader.”
“I can’t think of anybody more deserving of getting promoted to brigadier general,” Shields said.
In his remarks, Andonie thanked his wife and family for their support during his military career.
He also thanked the many people in the crowd of 300 attending the promotion that he’s worked with over the years.
“All of you have had some impact on my life,” Andonie said.
He said people are the most important resource the army and national guard have and he pledged to build this team.
Andonie is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was commissioned as an armor officer in 1989. He served in the active army and moved to the Capital Region in 1998 to become the assistant professor of military science at Siena College in Loudonville. He served in that position until 2000 when he joined the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division.
Andonie was first assigned to the 194th Separate Armored Brigade at Fort Knox, Ky., where he served in a number of basic officer positions. In 1995 he was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, Ca., where he served as a regimental and squadron staff officer.
He also served as Commander of Troop a, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment serves as the opposing force for U.S. Army and Marine Corp armored and mechanized units training at the Fort Irwin National Training Center.
As a member of the 42nd Infantry Division, Andonie served as chief of plans, deputy operations and operations officer.
In 2004-05 he deployed to Tikrit, Iraq as the deputy operations officer of the 42nd Infantry Division. Andonie was in charge of the day-to-day operations of the division’s tactical command post in Tikrit.
After returning from Iraq, Andonie served as the commander of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry — New York City’s famous “Fighting 69th” — and as the deputy joint operations and operations officer for New York National Guard before becoming the guard’s chief of staff.
Andonie holds a bachelor of science degree in history from the United States Military Academy and a masters of business from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and he is a graduate of the United States Army War College.
His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Ribbon and the Parachutists Badge.
He has been awarded the Order of St. George, which is presented to outstanding armor officer, and the Order of St. Maurice, which is awarded to infantry officers who have distinguished themselves.
Andonie and his wife, Kathleen, have two daughters, Rachel and Elizabeth.