The dignified transfer of six Air Force service members killed in the Middle East. (Photo/The White House)
By Troy Turner
AUBURN — A prominent billionaire hedge fund manager and investor is mentioned as the likely top contributor who donated $80,000 to lead a GoFundMe campaign for the family of Auburn University alumnus Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, who was killed while serving in the Middle East.
Klinner was a 2016 graduate of Auburn with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was among six Air Force crew members killed when their KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq.
Maj. John Alex Klinner
Two others killed in the crash also had Alabama ties.
Klinner, 33, of Trussville; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.; flew in the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, which is co-located with Alabama Air National Guard’s 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham.
GoFundMe accounts were established online to raise funds for the lost crew’s loved ones.
Klinner was married and the father of three children, and as of late Thursday night, more than $1.4 million had been raised to support his family. Listed as the top donor was William Ackman with a donation of $80,000.
Although most donors are not identified beyond a name, Forbes was among media outlets that noted large donations to the accounts of deceased service members by a William Ackman and surmised the gifts could be linked to the billionaire of that name known for such gifting and for having made his fortune with hedge funds.
“We estimate Bill Ackman’s net worth at $9 billion as of Sunday morning, making him the 377th wealthiest person in the world,” Forbes reported. “Ackman has spent decades working as a hedge fund manager at Pershing Square, the fund he founded in 2004. Pershing Square now manages an estimated $20 billion in assets.”
Thousands of social media comments across several online platforms have provided an outpour of support, condolences and appreciation in response to the crew’s service and ultimate sacrafice.
Savino’s GoFundMe account had reached almost $92,000 by Thursday night, while the account for Pruitt was almost $180,000.
Pruitt’s husband and two children were listed as designated recipients, while contributions to Savino’s account were designated for her parents and siblings.
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be contacted at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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