Victor Dee Johnston

He was born November 30, 1964 in Key West, FL, the son of the late Harvey C. and Gladys White Johnston.

He married Charlene Walter June 17, 1995 at Camp Roland in Niantic.

Lieutenant Colonel (CT) Victor D. Johnston has served with distinction in the Connecticut Army National Guard since 1985. He served initially as a traditional drilling Guardsman, and since 2000, on Active Duty with the Connecticut Army National Guard. He began his military career enlisting as a Private in the Connecticut Army National Guard in September of 1985, graduated from the Army Combat Medical Specialist Course at Fort Sam Houston, TX on August 5, 1986 and served as a Combat Medic with the 142nd Medical Company in New Haven, CT.

LTC Johnston graduated from Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Engineers on 27 JUL 1991. He served in numerous Command and Staff positions including:

Engineer Platoon Leader, Company B, 242nd Engineer Battalion, New London, CT and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 242nd Engineer Battalion, Stratford, CT; Company Commander, HHC, 242nd Engineer Battalion, Stratford, CT; Chief, Plans and Training Branch, Training Site Support Detachment, Niantic, CT; Plans Officer, HHC, 143rd Area Support Group, Hartford, CT; S2/S3, HHD, 192nd Engineer Battalion, New London, CT; Battalion Executive Officer, 192nd Engineer Battalion, New London, CT and Chief, Logistics Branch, HHC, CTARNG Training Center, Niantic, CT.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnston is a graduate of the following Army Service Schools: ARNG Officer Candidate School, Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course; as well as the Combined Arms and Services Staff School. He is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Government.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnston’s numerous Military awards include: The Meritorious Service Medal, five awards of the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/ Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Silver Hourglass Device, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze service star and Army Service Ribbon. He was also awarded the Connecticut Medal of Merit, Connecticut Long Service Medal (25 years) and the Connecticut Emergency Response Service Ribbon.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnston’s exceptional service to the State and Nation spanned over 26 years of service. His many contributions as a superb and talented Engineer Officer, including “Rails to Trails” and “Task Force Husky” projects, serve as an enduring reminder of his many good works. Most importantly, his leadership in mentoring junior Soldiers and fellowship to peers and senior Officers will be missed.

In addition to his wife Charlene, he is survived by his son Victor Dee Johnston Jr., daughter Genevieve Belle Johnston, sisters Susan Marker and husband Conrad, Melissa Driscoll and husband James, brother Mike Johnston and by numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Friday at the Church and Allen Funeral Home in Norwich at 12 noon. Calling hours will be held from 10:30am until the time of the service at noon. Burial with full military honors will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich.

To leave a message of condolence for Victor’s family, please visit his memorial at www.churchandallen.com.

The Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St. Norwich, is assisting the family with arrangements.