The memorial is a rock pillar with a Marine Corp emblem on the front. The top of the pillar has an information plaque about the Sgt. as well as his picture.
Plaque Text:
Gary was born on May 24, 1985 in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Angela and J.B. "Nubbin" Johnston. He has 2 sisters, Holly and Sabrina, and one nephew, Ethan Scott. He started school in Archer City where he played little league baseball, basketball and football. He moved to Windhorst the summer before his 6th grade year, where he continued his sports. During Gary's senior year in football, he was named to the all district team both offense and defense, all state defense and Red River 22 All Star Team. His team members also voted him MVP on both offense and defense. Gary also started shooting trap and skeet through the Archer County 4-H and later became a member of the Amateur Trap Shooting Assoc., where he traveled to various meets around the United States and won numerous events. Gary received the Dale Hoff Memorial and Texas State Memorial Trap shooting scholarships.
Gary's hobbies were riding motorcycles, 4 wheelers, hunting, fishing, paintball and rodeo. He worked hard and played hard, always giving it his all. According to his classmates, "he was the one you could always depend on. You get stuck in the mud, he was the first person to come and pull you out. If he was hurting inside, he would never let you see it. He was ultimately the toughest person we knew."
Gary attended MSU for one year before enlisting in the Marine Corps, something he had wanted to do for most of his life. After Gary became a Marine, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. While there, Gary was selected to go to reconnaissance school. After recon school, he was attached to the 3rd Recon Battalion as a communications specialist, field radio operator. Gary was deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and while deployed he toured the Pacific which included Korea, Guam, and Iwo Jima. His company was also involved in the humanitarian aid to the Philippines during the mud slides. Gary was very proud to be selected for the security of Pres. George W. Bush's 2005 Mongolia trip. Gary was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (posthumously with Combat Distinguishing Device).
Gary's deployment with the 3rd Recon was going to be up in October 2006, but he extended so he could deploy with his battalion to Iraq. According to members of his platoon "Gary was the first at work and last to leave. He was very good at his job... He didn't need to be praised, he knew what he had done and job satisfaction was all that he needed. He was the hardest working individual that we ever met." They said, "He was our brother who we will always miss and will never forget."
Gary attained the rank of Sergeant on January 1, 2007 after only bein in the Marines for two-and-a-half years. On January 21, 2007, Sgt. Johnston was KILLED IN ACTION when he was struck by an improvised explosive device. Gary's selfless devotion to his fellow Marines was an inspiration to all and he set a superb example of combat leadership. For being a simple country boy from Windhorst, Texas, Gary lived his dream of being a Marine, seeing the world and making a difference. Gary may be gone from this earth, but will NEVER be gone from our hearts.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
SEMPER FIDELIS
(American Flag) and (Marine Emblem)