Black History Month One-On-One: Brig. Gen. George Jones
Anchored By 1010 WINS' Larry Mullins
Produced for 1010 WINS Radio by Sharon Barnes-Waters
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — He battled racism in the Army to rise through the ranks to brigadier general and faced racism at home only to return and serve his community.
Now, Brig. Gen. George Jones has a statue and street named in his honor. He is also one of this year's 1010 WINS Black History Month honorees.
Raised in Harlem, Jones told 1010 WINS' Larry Mullins he was just 16 years old when he joined the New York National Guard in 1939.
"I could make some money at a point in time when men with families didn't have any money. I was really the man," Jones said.
More: Larry's Blog: Brig. Gen. George Jones
But that 16-year-old man had overlooked one important thing: "I had no idea that we were going to war 14 months later."
That was only the first of many wake up calls throughout his life, Jones said.
After becoming a National Guard assistant company clerk, Jones said it wasn't long before he faced racism.
Photos: Black History Month Celebration 2016
After showing up to his first duty station in Ontario, Canada the regimental commander leveled a racial slur at Jones.
The military wasn't the only place Jones faced adversity, though. Jones said he was once refused service at a New York restaurant.
"New York was really Up South," he said.
But as Mullins reported, Jones gathered the stones of racism and built a mountain of integrity.
Jones is military success personified, a highly decorated veteran with over half a dozen awards that include American Defense Service Medal, Japan Occupation Medal and a U.N. Service Medal.
Jones also went on to lead the Vulcan Society and serve 20 years with the FDNY. He recently concluded 18 years as Board Chairman of the Urban League of Long Island and is still looking for ways to serve his community.
