32
The Wenatchee World | Tuesday, November 10, 2020
LEROY JOHNSTON U.S. Navy 1947–1951
L
eroy, usually known as Roy was born in Wenatchee, June 28, 1929 to the late Claude and Barbara Johnston. Growing up, there was plenty of work to be done. Working in the orchard and feeding livestock. Much of which had to be done early in the morning before he caught the school bus. Upon graduating from Wenatchee High School, Roy joined the Navy and was sent to San Diego, California for recruit training. After boot camp he was assigned to Hawaii to be an orderly for an admiral who was Base Commander for the Fleet Airwing II. The next two years were spent as a crewman on a PB4YZ Patrol Bomber attached to Squadron YP-22 rotating from Guam to Hawaii. At this time, the Korean War broke out and he and other airmen were assigned to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Princeton (CV-37). After serving one year in the Sea of Japan, he was honorably discharged and returned home. Roy enrolled at Wenatchee Valley College to study engineering and play football. He
graduated in the class of ’53. Then he attend the University of Washington to earn his Bachelors Degree while working at Boeing. After graduation he accepted a position at General Dynamics Corp. in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended Texas Christian University where he was selected to be an exchange student in Germany. He was awarded a Masters Degree, appointed Admiral in the Texas Navy and also past Master of a Masonic lodge in Texas. Having worked 35 years in aerospace, he decided to retire and return back to Wenatchee to be with family, friends and twin brother Ray. They served together for two years in the same Navy patrol squadron. Roy still lives here in Wenatchee with his lovely wife Patty and enjoys their children and grandchildren (Clayton and Liam). He is a member of Calvary Bible Church and was a member of the Apollo Club. Roy was honored to submit his story.
LCDR. RAYMOND JOHNSTON U.S. Navy 1948–1978
R
aymond “Ray” was born and raised in Wenatchee with his twin brother Leroy “Roy.” He graduated from Wenatchee High School and attended Wenatchee Valley College and played on the first organized football team in the fall of 1947. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1948 and enlisted for four years. At the end of his enlistment, the Korean War was in full swing. President Turman froze all enlistments so he was involuntarily extended indefinitely. He then reenlisted for four more years. At the end of that enlistment (eight years total service) he was in China. He then again reenlisted and decided to make the Navy a career. He attended Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He remained on active duty until 1978 and retired
as Lieutenant Commander. The Navy was his life and he has no regrets. “It was a wonderful experience and career.” Ray served many years in Aviation squadrons, Destroyer Navy, Amphibious Force and with duty aboard cruiser USS Chicago (CG-11). While on active duty he went to night school whenever duties permitted and graduated from the University of LaVerne, CA. He notes the interesting places he went: Hawaiian Islands, Johnston Island, Kwajalein Island, Guam, Midway Island, Okinawa, Japan ( Yokosuka, Sasebo, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe), China (Hong Kong, Kowloon), Vietnam (Da Nang, Rivers), Philippines (Subic, Clark, Manila), Taiwan and Rhode Island.) Ray is a proud veteran and submitted his story.