Jackson, MS (WLBT) - A native Jacksonian was given the Congressional Gold Medal at his church in Jackson this morning. 87 year old John W. Jones, who was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II received the medal from a detachment of the U.S. Marines stationed in Jackson.
Jones was one of the first African American marines who entered service in 1943. These Marines were not permitted to train with white Marines, but were sent to a place known as Montford Point, North Carolina, near where white Marines were trained. Jones served in the South Pacific and was at one time assigned to guard Japanese prisoners on Guam. Congress created the Congressional Gold Medal especially for these first black marines and ordered that it be awarded wherever the Marines could travel to.
"Well Mr. Jones was trained at Montford Point, North Carolina. And that group of Marines was special, because they were the first group of Marines, that were African Americans to serve, in the United States Marine Corps and now we are finally recognizing them, with the honor of the Congressional Gold Medal," says Captain Kevin Stuart.
The award was made at the Holy Family Catholic Church on Forest Avenue where Jones is a member. He was a long time executive with Security Life Insurance Company of Jackson.
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