Over $1.5 Million Raised For Family of Trussville Airman Killed
By Rick McCann
March 16, 2026
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Three military personnel from Alabama have been killed during Operation Epic Fury including Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33.
Shortly after the announcement of his death, a GoFundMe for the Trussville man was established and has reached over $1 million in donations.
Major Klinner, was one of six killed in an incident involving a KC-135 and another aircraft.
According to a local media report, Klinner’s sister-in-law set up the GoFundMe to support Klinner’s wife, Libby, and the couple’s three children. Within hours, the fundraiser reached its $150,000 goal, and it increased to $1.5 million after donations poured in, surpassing $1 million.
Among donors was billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who gave $100,000.
Since then, GoFundMe pages have also been set up for soldiers who have been killed in service to their country.
Two others killed in the incident were from the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham. Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, and Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, were killed alongside three others from the Ohio National Guard.
At this time, at least three Alabamian soldiers have died, and others have been wounded since the war on Iran began.
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