John Pighini Former Vice President Pararescue Association
John spent 21 years as a Pararescueman with various assignments starting in SEA and culminating at HQ 23rd Air Force.
Subsequently, he was handpicked by the Commanding General as the first Pararescue Superintendent to establish the roles and missions for Pararescue within the Joint Special Operation Command. After retiring from the Air Force in August, 1987, he worked as a consultant for orthopedic reconstruction surgery. He then established Pighini Medical, an orthopedic consulting and implant distributorship.
Retiring from that in 1998, he went on to live his dream of working with horses. John has a BS in education from the University of Illinois. He has numerous sales awards to include “Distributor of the Year”.
Military awards include the Silver star, the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism, the Airman’s Medal, Air Medals, and numerous other awards and decorations.
Also the 1979 recipient of the Cheney Award, John presently continues to live his dream with his wife, Sue, at Livin’ the Dream Ranch in Virginia where he trains horses and teaches their human partners.