Daniel John Rooney

Daniel John Rooney was born in Stillwater, OK, on 18 December 1972, graduated from Stillwater High School and later the University of Kansas in 1995. Rooney is a decorated F-16 Fighter Pilot and founder of Folds of Honor, a leading non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since its inception in 2007, the foundation has provided nearly 44,000 life-changing scholarships totaling approximately $200 million.

Rooney is a USA Today bestselling author whose titles include A Patriot's Calling and Fly Into the Wind. He is a highly sought-after motivational speaker who has addressed over 1,000 corporations and groups across America. As a Class A Member of the PGA, he along with his partners, founded two nationally ranked golf clubs: The Patriot Golf Club in Owasso, Oklahoma, and American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan, in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus. Rooney has been recognized as one of People Magazine’s “Heroes of the Year,” Money Magazine’s “Hero of the Year,” and ABC World News Tonight’s “Persons of the Year.”

LtCol Rooney flew the F-16 Viper in three combat tours to Iraq. He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, where he acts as a U.S. Air Force ambassador inspiring the next generation of service members. Rooney is a two-time recipient of the Top Gun Award and has received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Anti-terrorism Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, and Air Expeditionary Medal. For his service and patriotism, he was presented the White House’s “Presidential Volunteer Service Award'' by President George W. Bush, as well as the Air National Guard’s “Distinguished Service Medal,” the “Directors Service Award,” and the Ellis Island “Medal of Honor.”

LtCol Rooney resides in Owasso, Oklahoma.