Maurice “Duke” Johnston, Jr. attended the Virginia Military Institute on a football scholarship, and as a quarterback, he led his team to an undefeated season in 1957. Upon graduation, he married his hometown sweetheart and joined the USAF becoming a fighter pilot. He had a 25-year distinguished flying career. Col. Johnston served his country in Vietnam through four tours with 157 combat missions. He was the fourth pilot to fly the YF-16 and the first USAF Tactical Air Command pilot to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, made in Fort Worth.
Together with pilots Neil R. Anderson and Jim Rider, Duke took the F-16 to 38 air shows in nine European countries in 50 days, including the famous Paris air show.
Upon retirement from the USAF, he worked for General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin as a senior manager and director until retiring in 2000. While at the company, he applied his knowledge as a pilot to create a unique organization called Pilot Vehicle Interface that fundamentally changed the approach to cockpit design.
Maurice B. “Duke” Johnston Jr. (Col USAF, Ret) “Headed West on February 14, 2018.
Maurice B. “Duke” Johnston Jr. FORT WORTH–Col. Maurice B. “Duke” Johnston Jr. “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Fort Worth, after a long bout with Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia. He will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Ft Worth, TX. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, you consider making a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Duke lived life to the fullest and left a lasting legacy.
Born in Wilmington, Del., June 16, 1934, Duke attended the Virginia Military Institute on a football scholarship, and as a quarterback; he led his team to an undefeated season in 1957. Upon graduation, he married his hometown sweetheart and joined the USAF becoming a fighter pilot. He had a 25-year distinguished flying career. Col. Johnston served his country in Vietnam through four tours with 157 combat missions. He was the first USAF Tactical Air Command pilot to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, made in Fort Worth.
Upon retirement from the USAF, he worked for General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin as a senior manager and director until retiring in 2000. While at the company, he applied his knowledge as a pilot to create a unique organization called Pilot Vehicle Interface that fundamentally changed the approach to cockpit design.
Duke had a great sense of humor, loved to travel, play golf, coach youth soccer, listen to music, and play with his grandchildren. He was beloved by all that knew him and will be greatly missed.
Duke was preceded in death by his parents, Sally and Maurice Johnston Sr. of Wilmington Del. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Annette; son, Mark and wife, Tammy; grandchildren, Hannah and Benjamin of Fort Worth; sister, Barbara Van Blarcom; brother, Ronald Johnston; and many nieces and nephews from Wilmington, Del.
(source: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dfw/obituary.aspx?n=maurice-b-johnston-duke&pid=188217008)
