Skip to content

Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

Read More »
Join The SSS
Update My Bio
Main Menu
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • What’s New
  • Contact

Johnston, Maurice B., Jr.

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • Johnston, Maurice B., Jr.

Maurice Bryan Johnston, Jr.

Preferred Name: Duke
Nickname/Call Sign: MB
Date of Birth: June 16, 1934
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Headed West Date: February 14, 2018
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

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.

Units Assigned

  • 1961-1964 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron/50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn AB, Germany
  • 1964-1965 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC
  • 1966-1969 Nellis AFB, NV

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

F-100
F-16

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • Virginia Military Institute

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)

Allen, Maurice
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
Click To View

Wall of Honor Location

Our Mission

The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2025 Super Sabre Society
Website by: Heart and Soul Web Design
Scroll to Top