Bowling Green native and WKU grad Lieutenant Colonel John W. Capito was a second generation Marine and combat aviator, flying the F4 Phantom for 105 missions in Vietnam, the F8 Crusader, and the AV8 Harrier, then the newest and most innovative aircraft in the USMC inventory. Capito joined the Harrier community at its beginnings, and was instrumental in the understanding and tactical implementation of this new weapon for the Marines. John rose through the ranks of the Harrier community. eventually commanding the only training squadron for the force.  He retired in 1987, and passed away in 2020.