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On May 19, 1990, Central Middle School was renamed the William J. Johnston Middle School in honor of Colchester's World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, William J. Johnston. Mr. Johnston, a native of Colchester, received the nation's highest award for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action against the enemy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Johnston on May 29, 1944. Following his discharge from the Army, Mr. Johnston built a career with the Veteran's Administration as a service officer. He was also a former Selectman of the Town of Colchester and an active member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Johnston's message for the students of Colchester was to "respect each other" and to respect the right to disagree without being disagreeable, to be decent, and to be willing to accept other people's opinions.