Tescione

John Tescione Served with the 48th Highlanders of Canada from December 8, 1988 until November 1st, 2006 (His official release date). He reached the rank of Sergeant and held many leadership positions including that of platoon warrant of his beloved 1st platoon. He created the legendary unit within the unit known as the "Regulators" that was born on a recce exercise which eventually developed into the first platoon of Alpha company of the 48th. Their call to arms was "Regulators, Mount up"

In 1994 John Tescione volunteered for a tour overseas with the United Nations. He served with the First Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, Charles company 9 platoon. On the 31st of December, 1994 he was involved in an ambush. After an intense day of arrests and Mexican standoffs, John volunteered to ride shotgun in the lead vehicle, an iltis, to escort engineers who would fortify a new observation post that had recently been threatened. He rode with Phil Badanai, a member of 1 RCR and the driver, back from the drop off. On their return from the mission, they were surrounded by 25 to 30 belligerents in the town of Kolerina, and were fired upon at point blank range. Badanai received 3 gunshot wounds, Tescione seven, mostly to the head and upper body. The Iltis took over 100 rounds, 54 counted to the rear of the vehicle.

Both Badanai and Tescione survived to continue serving. The iltis is now on display in the National War Museum located in Ottawa, Canada.