The late Major Gen. Gary W. Johnston, a member of the Arkansas Tech University Class of 1987, was remembered by the U.S. Army with two posthumous honors in late June
It was announced during a dedication ceremony at Fort Huachuca that a new military intelligence facility in the desert hills of southern Arizona will be named the Major General Gary W. Johnston Consolidated Mission Facility. It will house what a news release from the U.S. Army described as “some of the nation’s most essential military intelligence soldiers” from the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM)
Among those in attendance for the dedication were Johnston’s family members, including spouse Brig. Gen. Amy Johnston, daughter Lauren Woodworth and granddaughter Arabella Woodworth
Johnston was also inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in recognition of his efforts to reshape military intelligence and prepare it for the future by integrating new technologies such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning
“Today, as we dedicate the U.S. Army INSCOM Major General Gary W. Johnston Consolidated Mission Facility, we do more than just open a new facility…we consecrate a tribute to his indelible legacy,” said Major Gen. Rhett R. Cox, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. “This facility will stand as a constant reminder of his service, his vision and his unwavering commitment to our nation and to the soldiers he led. It will inspire future generations of intelligence professionals to emulate his example of leadership and selfless service.”
Johnston received his Bachelor of Science degree in business from ATU. He completed the U.S. Army ROTC program at ATU and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army
During an active military career that spanned more than 34 years, Johnston served in command and staff positions from platoon to U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Defense major command levels. He deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
In 2015, Johnston became the seventh graduate of the ATU U.S. Army ROTC program to attain the rank of General officer in the U.S. Army. He was promoted Major General two years later
He culminated his career as the commander for U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, a global organization of 17,500 personnel across more than 40 countries
Johnston retired from active duty in September 2021 and passed away in January 2022. He was part of the inaugural class of the ATU U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Honor in 2017 and he received the highest honor his alma mater bestows when he was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 2019
