Johnny Dean Restivo, LTCOL USMC (Ret)

Johnny Dean Restivo was born July 16, 1944 in Oakwood, TX and grew-up in Bryan TX as one of eleven children (6 are Aggies).  He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1962, received an Associate Degree from Allen Military Academy in 1964 and a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M in 1966.  Johnny is also a 1972 graduate of the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River MD and received a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey CA in 1978.
 
Johnny entered the U. S. Marine Corps (USMC) in 1964, and graduated from Texas A&M and married the former Lena Fazzino of Bryan TX in 1966.  He entered graduate school at A&M in Computer Science; but received orders for flight training in Pensacola FL after being commissioned as a Marine Corps officer in March 1967.  After completing flight training in June 1968, he was designated as a Marine Corps Naval Aviator and assigned to North Carolina for advanced helicopter combat training in the CH-53A Sea Stallion helicopter.
 
In October 1968, Johnny deployed to Viet Nam where he flew 350 combat missions in the CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter and also served as a 3rd Marine Division Air Officer and a Forward Air Controller with the South Vietnamese Army.  During his tour, he received a Single Mission Air Medal with Bronze Star; 18 Combat Strike Air Medals; Combat Action Ribbon; Viet Nam Service and Campaign Medals (w4 stars); and Viet Nam Meritorious Unit and Cross of Gallantry Ribbons.   In early 1969, Johnny assisted a Marine Corps aerial observation team to search for and rescue a pilot that was reported to have ejected in enemy territory.  A pilot could not be located in the search area and the mission was subsequently cancelled; but Johnny was ecstatic when he later met the aerial observer whom he was assisting:  High school and Aggie classmate, Louis M. Newman’66 of Bryan TX.
 
Johnny and Lena moved to California in late 1969 where he trained new pilots in combat operations in the CH-53A Sea Stallion.  In early 1971, their son, Dean, was born and they moved to Maryland for Test Pilot training. As a Test Pilot, Johnny flew engineering and experimental test flights on various fixed and rotary winged aircraft, including first flights.  In 1974, they moved to Texas for advanced tactical jet training; then back to North Carolina where Johnny flew the A-6E Intruder All Weather Attack aircraft, including from various aircraft carriers.  That year their son, Marco, was born and they added Lena's nephew, Nick, to their household as guardians.  In 1975, Johnny deployed to the Pacific where he flew out of Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Philippines and Taiwan.  In 1976, the family moved to California for postgraduate school where his masters thesis was on the use of numerical analysis techniques (from the math curriculum at A&M) to generate aircraft performance data software.  In 1978, the family moved to Japan where he was the Commanding Officer of an aircraft headquarters and maintenance squadron.
 
The family moved to Dayton Ohio in 1979 and then to Washington DC in 1983 where Johnny managed LASER and Anti-Radiation Precision Guided Missile development programs for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.  He retired from active service as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1987; and in 1989, founded an engineering consultant business, United Dynamics, Inc.  He provided technical and contract support services for defense systems; primarily manned aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems. Johnny also flew with Eastern Airlines for over two years as a B-727 Flight Engineer Supervisor and Check Airman.
 
Lena and Johnny have been married for 47 years and have lived in Fairfax Station VA (outside of DC) for more than 30 years.  Lena attended Pensacola State and Hartnell colleges in FL and CA, and has been a Realtor for over 20 years in the Washington DC and Northern VA area; Dean graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond VA and is a Senior Information Technology Consultant, supporting the Department of Education in Washington DC; Marco graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax VA and is a Professional Engineer with a local VA engineering firm; and grandson Derek (Dean's son) is a junior studying electrical engineering at VCU in Richmond VA.  Nick, his wife Rachael and their children, Courtney and Garrett, live in the San Antonio TX area where Nick and Rachael have a custom home development business.  Courtney will be attending Abilene Christian University this fall.
 
Johnny’s brother, Colonel Philip G. Restivo’84 USMC, a F/A-18 Weapons and Sensors Officer; nephew, Corporal Anthony C. “Tony” Restivo USMC (son of Phil and Darla, attended A&M); and niece, SPC-4 Jennifer L. Restivo USA (daughter of brother Mark E. Restivo’79, attended Central Texas College) have all served tours in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.  Jennifer is currently deployed to South Korea and nephew, 1st LT Sean D. Springer’09 USA (son of sister, Anna) is currently undergoing Apache Helicopter training at Ft. Rucker AL.  Immediate family members that also served in the military are their father, Samuel A. Restivo USN (WWII veteran); brothers: SPC-5 James A. Restivo’63 USA (Viet Nam veteran), SN Samuel J. Restivo USN (University of Houston’66), and Lieutenant Colonel Charles P. Restivo’79 USA (Ret); and nephew, LT Rick A. Restivo’91 USN (Samuel J’s son).  Also included in Johnny’s immediate family are more Aggies:  brother, Robert S. Restivo’90 and his wife Amy Camarillo Restivo’06; Phil’s wife, Darla Clarke Restivo’84; and nephews: Allen W. Restivo’94 (Samuel J’s son), Robert T. Cowart’98 (son of sister, Linda) and Andrew G. “Andy” Restivo’08 (son of Phil and Darla) and his wife Jessica Channing Restivo’09.  

Johnny Dean is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots; the USMC/Combat Helicopter Association, the A-6 Intruder Aircraft Association, and various professional and veteran organizations.  He was an Eagle Scout Advisor (both sons achieved Eagle Scout); Chairman of St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Social Ministry; and for the Virginia Knights of Columbus (KofC), he was a Grand Knight, Northern VA District Deputy, and is currently Chairman for the Virginia KofC Strategic Planning initiatives. He also flew general aviation aircraft and has traveled several times with St. Mary's Church to Guatemala, sponsoring missions and education initiatives for indigenous Mayan Indian children.  Johnny retired from his business, United Dynamics in 2012 and remains very active with his church, and charitable and professional organizations within the Common Wealth of Virginia.