Lieutenant Commander James Brice 'Drama' Johnson passed away in a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet accident on March 14, 2018. He was born in Columbus, Mississippi, on August 21, 1984 to Air Force Officers Wade and Kathy Johnson. His sister, Kallyn, followed 18 months later. The Air Force family moved together to Holloman AFB NM, Keflavik Iceland, Langley AFB VA, Ft. Leavenworth KS, Luke AFB AZ, Maxwell AFB AL, and Randolph AFB TX as Brice was growing up. He attended high school at Brophy College Preparatory in AZ, Saint James School in AL, and Randolph High School in TX in preparation for his appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in 2003.

Brice began courting his future bride, Mary Asher 'Mash' Vendt, following their first year at the Air Force Academy after connecting at Airmanship 490, Basic Freefall Parachuting. They graduated together in the class of 2007, with Brice commissioning as an Ensign in the United States Navy. He attended Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) training in Pensacola, FL, while Mash attended primary flight training at Whiting Field, FL. The couple married at the United States Air Force Academy Chapel on August 1, 2009. Brice then moved to Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA and joined the VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks" as a F/A-18F Super Hornet WSO. He completed two combat deployments onboard the USS Carl Vinson with VFA-22 before being selected for pilot training in Pensacola, FL.

In July of 2015, Wade pinned another set of wings upon his chest. After re-mastering the F/A-18F from the front seat, Brice was assigned to the world famous VFA-213 "Fighting Blacklions" at Naval Air Station Oceana, VA. With VFA-213 he deployed a third time, flying combat missions from the USS George H.W. Bush, returning home in August 2017. Drama was "unwillingly" promoted to LCDR in February 2018 (JOPA forever!). He departed this world doing exactly what he loved in service to this great country. He is survived by his wife, Mary Asher 'Mash', sister, Kallyn, in-laws, David and Mary Hart Vendt, parents, C. Wade and KJ Johnson, and countless loving family and friends. He will always be remembered for his infectious laugh and huge grin. His ability to light up any room and make everyone laugh will be dearly missed.

$10 from each bracelet sold will be donated to Brice’s favorite charity, Camp Wapiyapi, which provides free summer camp for patients and siblings ages 6-17 years old who are facing pediatric cancer.

Here’s a toast.