Brigadier General Retired, U.S. Army
Amy Hannah Johnston, a retired Brigadier General from Fredericksburg, VA, dedicated over three decades to serving in the U.S. Army. Raised in Edina, MN, and Findlay, OH, she was shaped by a strong work ethic and a deep-rooted sense of community. These values became the foundation of her military career and continue to influence her life beyond service.
Amy Hannah Johnston held several significant roles in humanitarian and combat operations throughout her military journey, stationed in strategic locations worldwide. Her assignments took her to places such as Seoul, Korea, and Mons, Belgium, where she served in pivotal staff positions at United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command in Korea, and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), the NATO military command. In addition to her military service, she currently advises the Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship at the American University in Bulgaria, where she works to promote global democratic engagement and civic participation.
A deeply personal part of Amy’s journey is her dedication to honoring her late husband's legacy, Major General Gary W. Johnston, a highly decorated Military Intelligence Officer. After his unexpected passing, he created the Gary Johnston Leadership Award at Arkansas Tech University to celebrate his exemplary leadership. This award continues to honor individuals who demonstrate leadership, honor, and integrity that her husband exemplified throughout his life.
Amy’s educational background played a significant role in her successful military career. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Ohio State University, a field that has always fascinated her because of its focus on understanding human behavior. She then pursued a master’s degree in Communications at the American University in Washington, DC. These fields of study gave him a deep understanding of human motivations and insight into the workings of large organizations, which were crucial to her work in the military. She continued her education by earning an M.S. in National Resource Strategy with a concentration in Information Operations from the Eisenhower School’s Industrial College, part of the National Defense University. He also graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, completing the academic requirements that led her to a career as a commissioned officer.
Throughout her 31-year military career, Brigadier General (Ret.) Amy Hannah demonstrated exceptional leadership across a range of senior-level assignments. She utilized her strong communication skills to lead and support strategic operations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Her deployments included both humanitarian and combat missions in high-stakes environments. One of her key contributions came during Operation Sea Signal in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where she provided vital assistance to Cuban and Haitian migrants seeking political asylum. Amy Johnston also played a pivotal role during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, working with Joint Task Force All-American in New Orleans to coordinate search and rescue operations and disaster relief efforts.
Amy’s service continued with key deployments in the Middle East. She was part of the team in Kandahar, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom shortly after the 9/11 attacks. Her role in the operation was crucial in the initial military response to the attacks. He later served in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where she worked with a multinational coalition to stabilize the region during years of conflict and transition. Throughout these demanding deployments, she showed remarkable leadership, dedication, and resilience, earning respect from her peers and subordinates.
Another key role in Amy Hannah Johnston’s career was as the Chief of Army Public Affairs, where she made notable changes to the Army’s strategic communications at the Pentagon. Her work in this capacity helped improve how the Army communicated internally and externally. She also served as the Senior Public Affairs Officer for U.S. Forces in South Korea and the Deputy Strategic Communications Chief for SHAPE in Belgium.
After retiring from the military, Amy Hannah continued her commitment to public service. She is currently involved in several community-focused initiatives in Fredericksburg, VA. As a board member of Tree Fredericksburg, she supports efforts to enhance the urban tree canopy and promote environmental sustainability. She is also active in helping to plan and plant the grounds for the community’s new Middle School. He is particularly proud of her work with her therapy dog, Duke. Together, they volunteer with the Alliance for Therapy Dogs, providing therapeutic outreach to active and retired Virginia military personnel and helping support their emotional well-being.
Amy’s lifelong dedication to service within the military and in her local community has left a lasting impact on those around her. Through her continued advocacy for veterans, her environmental efforts, and her contributions to the communications field, she remains a dedicated leader and mentor. Her work to honor her husband’s legacy and support the next generation of military leaders ensures that her influence will continue to be felt for years.
