John Linnington – The First-Ever Permanent Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Linnington was the first-ever permanent Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. With 35 years in the Army, he had an illustrious career as an officer.

He joined the Wounded Warrior Project as its Chief Executive Officer with a deep dedication to serving military service members and their families.

Early Life and Education

John Linnington was an inquisitive child. His family moved around a lot, and he was exposed to many cultures during his formative years. He may have had to learn some life lessons the hard way, but the experience certainly sharpened his analytical skills and made him a more insightful student of history. Throughout adulthood, he served in the military primarily as a sniper. Once his military career ended, he pursued an academic route, earning both a master’s degree in criminology and law from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Additionally, he has extensive business and financial acumen. One of his many responsibilities is ensuring all departments within DOD work together effectively to increase military efficiency while saving taxpayer dollars.

Professional Career

After a distinguished military career, Linnington was promoted to Director of the Defense Department’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in 2015. This new agency was created with one purpose in mind: streamlining the effort to recover missing soldiers from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. This meant facing down internal battles that had been simmering behind closed doors for years while also working diligently to guarantee families who waited for their loved ones’ remains were properly honored.

On Thursday, Linnington surprised his own staff and announced he was leaving the DPAA to become CEO of the controversial Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a position which will pay him much more than his six-figure government salary. This betrayal has grave repercussions for veterans and their family members who have been waiting years to learn what became of their fallen friends.

Personal Life

John Linnington was born in Hempstead, Long Island, New York and worked as a miller there until his passing.

He married Catherine Ellison in 1655 at Hempstead, NY. She was the daughter of Lawrence Ellison (ca 1595-1664) and Mary Rishton.

She was also a member of the Church of Christ and was baptized on January 22, 1654.

Her father’s identity is not recorded in the town records, so we do not know his first name.

He had eight gattes in 1658, though this wasn’t enough to support his livestock. Though a freeman at this point in time, he still had to pay taxes on his property. It is believed that he was in poor health at the time of his passing.

Net Worth

Michael Linnington is a retired United States Army Lieutenant General who served as the first permanent Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and CEO of Wounded Warrior Project for over 35 years. With his impressive military background, he has received numerous accolades and decorations over his distinguished career.

He served as the first Commanding General of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and Military Deputy under the Secretary of Defense. Prior to DPAA, Linnington held various posts such as Commandant of Cadets at U.S. Military Academy West Point and Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy at International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.