ST GEORGE – Marine Corps veteran, Billion Johnston, a Washington City resident, was selected to receive this year’s Community Service Award from Color Country Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). He was honored for his exceptional commitment to the Devil Pups youth program and unwavering service and support to fellow veterans. Gloria Toomey, chair of the chapter’s Community Service Awards committee, and Regent Laura Miller presented Johnston with his award during a chapter event in May. He is the first of two recipients to be recognized by the Color Country Chapter in 2024 for their volunteer service work.
Mentoring youth participating in the Devil Pups program is a fulfilling role.
Devil Pups is a non-profit charitable foundation established by the Marine Corps in 1964, specially created to prepare 14-17-year-old boys for military service and their adult lives through mental and physical training. Supported by active-duty Marines and veterans, the 10-day program is annually conducted at Camp Pendleton in California. Outdoor exercises, motivating lectures, and showcases of Marine Corps activities are included as a part of the experience. In 1998, the program was expanded to include girls. All youth participants must meet eligibility requirements before going through the program. The St. George Chapter sends 12 youth out of 30 who apply annually. It is Johnston’s job to help determine who will go to Camp Pendleton and then prepare them for the grueling yet exciting challenges they will face once they arrive.
Johnston’s volunteer service to the Devil Pups youth program began in 2014. He has been serving as the Director of the Southern Utah region for the past five years. As a youth mentor, Johnston enjoys influencing the lives and development of the young individuals he interacts with through the program. He teaches important lessons about mental strength, resilience, the mind-body connection, and maintaining a positive mindset while educating them about fitness, nutrition, and weight management, all of which aim to improve their overall well-being. He believes these essential teachings are often overlooked, which explains his passionate drive to educate them with his “Tough Love” approach.
“It is rewarding to me to hear from Devil Pup participants years later that my voice and words still ring in their head concerning some life decisions they make,” said Johnston when asked to share his thoughts about the work he’s doing with the Devil Pups.
He has mentored about 300 youth over the past decade. “I work the kids very hard physically, to what they think is their limit. Once they reach that limit, I tell them that is not their limit, it is just a plateau meant to be broken through,” said Johnston in a press release submitted to St George News. He added, “I teach them not to allow their body to control their mind but train their mind to control their body because the mind is the strongest and most important muscle in the body.” Although challenging, his methods achieve excellent results. In 2021, he was named Liaison Representative of the Year for exceptional leadership in preparing youth to perform at their highest levels that year at Camp Pendleton.
Besides mentoring youth, Johnston also places a strong emphasis on supporting his fellow veterans.
He is an active member and a past commandant of the Marine Corps League, Dixie Detachment #1270, a nonprofit group dedicated to assisting active-duty Marines and veterans. Johnston is often spotted marching in community parades and taking part in various ceremonies honoring veterans. As a member of the group’s Honor Guard unit, he also volunteers his time honoring fallen warrior Marine brothers at funeral services, which he views as the most important duty they provide. If you notice him doing push-ups or hiking around with his pets to accumulate miles, he is likely on a personal fundraising mission for the numerous veteran charitable organizations he backs. Whatever it takes to provide aid, promote awareness, and financially support veterans in need, he does it!
Military service is a Johnston family tradition!
Billion followed in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the Marines right after completing high school, serving from 1976 to 1979. While serving, he played a crucial role as a member of the Scout Snipers Corps, training combat skills to fellow comrades. His father, Gunnery Sergeant William Johnston, served as a career Marine, joining the military at the young age of 15. He fought in the Battle of Midway during WWII, the battle of the Frozen Chosin in Korea, and he saw combat in Vietnam. He is one of the few who fought in 3 wars. He earned the title of Distinguished Shooter and was awarded a position in the President’s Hundred as security for President Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon. Billion’s grandfather served in the Merchant Marines. Carrying on the tradition, Billion’s daughter joined the Navy in 2023 after graduating from high school and will soon be serving alongside a Marine unit as a medic. A fourth generation service member, she is the first female family member to proudly serve her country.
Life Beyond Military Service
After his time in the military, Billion Johnston pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University in California. During his studies, he founded an Underwater Services company specializing in underwater projects for both government and private sectors. Venturing into various industries, he established businesses throughout his civilian career ranging from heavy equipment to advertising, appliance sales and repairs. While residing in Hawaii, he met and married his wife of 23 years, Jodi. They have since raised three children together. They left the island and relocated to Washington County in 2008. In retirement, he remains very active dedicating a good portion of his free time serving his community and others. Now empty nesters, he and his wife will soon embark on a new adventure. They plan to sell their home and travel across the United States in a motorhome as they decide where to settle next. Wherever he lands, he will surely be an asset to his community and bring with him his CBA principle…. “Whatever your mind can Conceive and Believe, you can Achieve.”