ECU alumni to be honored for distinguished military service

ECU alumni to be honored for distinguished military service

GREENVILLE, N.C. (10/21/2026) - Five East Carolina University alumni will be honored for their service to the country during the Distinguished Military Service Society (DMSS) luncheon and ceremony at the Main Campus Student Center on Nov. 6. Individual and table registration is due by Monday, Oct. 26 and can be completed by visiting piratealumni.com.

Air Force Lt. Col. Joel Banjo-Johnson, retired Air Force Col. Beth A. Mahar, Air Force Capt. Michael McShane, retired Army Col. Johnny J. Johnston and retired Army Col. Johnny "Wade" Sokolosky Sr. join 87 other society members inducted since the creation of the society in 2008.

DMSS honors ECU alumni and friends who have been vital to the nation's strength and success. Nominated individuals must have made significant contributions to both the university and the nation's security, regardless of whether they attended ECU or served on active duty. Nominees demonstrate integrity, leadership and distinguished service.

Banjo-Johnson '09, a native of London, earned a bachelor's degree and commission at ECU through the U.S. Air Force ROTC.

She is the director, Air Force Accessions Center and Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. She advises the commander and directs communication efforts for the Air Force and Space Force's largest officer accession sources.

Mahar '79 became the first Pirate nurse to complete Air Force ROTC, enrolling in the School of Nursing and ROTC in 1975. She retired in 2009 as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps after serving across the United States and overseas.

Mahar worked for the U.S. Department of State at American embassies in the United Kingdom and Canberra, Australia and the Central Intelligence Agency as a certified occupational health nurse specializing in travel medicine.

McShane '66 has served as an Air Force officer, Congressional legislative assistant, foreign service officer, White House special assistant to Vice President Walter Mondale, senior advisor to the Clinton White House, and Congressional Liaison Officer for Pakistan and Afghanistan with USAID during the Obama Administration.

He was founder and president of the Policy Institute and the McShane Group. In 1996, he led an American delegation of international election observers monitoring Albania's national election.

Johnston '87 received his commission through ECU ROTC, served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

In 2005, he assumed command of the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff, 82nd Airborne Division; Commander, 82nd Airborne Division (Rear); Commander, 406th Army Field Support Brigade; and Army Central G4 in Kuwait.

Sokolosky '86 began his Army career in the Ordnance Corps after graduating from ECU as a 2nd lieutenant. During 25 years of active duty, he held leadership roles from platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to commander of the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade.

Sokolosky served in Afghanistan as director, CJ4, for the Combined Security Transition Command, overseeing procurement, fielding, sustainment and training.

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