Preceded by Charles Mengel Allen Spouse(s) Kay Johnstone Nominated by Jimmy Carter Children 4 | Preceded by James F. Gordon Name Edward Johnstone Nationality American | |
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Born April 26, 1922
Sao Paulo, Brazil ( 1922-04-26 ) Died June 26, 2013, Louisville, Kentucky, United States Education University of Kentucky College of Law Succeeded by Thomas Austin Ballantine, Jr. Awards Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal Similar People Dwight D Eisenhower, Gerd von Rundstedt, Walter Model, Omar Bradley, Bernard Montgomery - 1st Visco | ||
Battles and wars Battle of the Bulge | ||
Edward Huggins Johnstone (April 26, 1922 – June 26, 2013) was a United States federal judge.
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Early life and education
Johnstone was born on April 26, 1922, in São Paulo, Brazil, the son of William Johnstone, a noted horticulturalist. He grew up in Paducah, Kentucky and attended high school in Lexington. After graduation, he attended the University of Kentucky until 1942, when he dropped out to join the United States Army.
Career
Johnstone was a sergeant in the 9th Infantry Division during World War II, serving from 1942 to 1945. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, earning a Bronze Star Medal and Silver Star Medal for his gallantry.
Returning home, Johnstone resumed his studies, earning a J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1949. He married Kay Johnstone and had four children. He was in private practice in Princeton, Kentucky from 1949 to 1976, and was the Princeton city attorney from 1952 to 1954. He was a City attorney of Kuttawa, Kentucky from 1954 to 1976 and of Fredonia, Kentucky from 1954 to 1976. He was also a city judge on the Princeton, Kentucky Police Court from 1954 to 1969. He was a judge of the 56th Judicial Circuit Court of the State of Kentucky from 1976 to 1977.
On August 25, 1977, Johnstone was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky vacated by James F. Gordon. Johnstone was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 7, 1977, and received his commission on October 11, 1977. He served as chief judge from 1985 to 1990, and assumed senior status on October 22, 1993.
Johnstone was known as a prison reformer and compassionate liberal during his time on the bench.
Death
Johnstone died on June 26, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 91.