761st Tank veteran honored at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kenneth Hatten | Congressman Steven Palazzo presented Jones with a commemorative American flag which was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the 761st Tank Battalion veteran’s wartime service.  

CAMP SHELBY, MS, UNITED STATES

06.15.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Hatten 

Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, in coordination with Congressman Steven Palazzo’s office, Mississippi District 4, recognized the World War II service of a veteran tank crewman at an award ceremony hosted by the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, June 15.

“It is a distinct privilege to be with everyone here today to honor Pfc. James B. Jones, a man who served this nation in the greatest way possible, as a Soldier in the Second World War,” said Palazzo.

Jones, of Laurel, served as a U.S. Army Private 1st Class in World War II, and was a member of Company D, 761st Tank Battalion, a predominantly African-American unit which had a distinguished record of achievement in the war and was noted for its valor during the Battle of the Bulge.

“The battalion distinguished itself through unstoppable courage, a ferocious fighting spirit, devotion to duty and high professional ideals toward accomplishing their assigned missions,” said Palazzo.

Jones served with the 761st throughout its combat service in Europe and remained with the occupation forces in Germany for a short time after the war, where he worked for the American Battle Monuments Commission. Due to an administrative oversight following his transfer to the Civil Service, Jones did not receive the medals and awards he had earned during the war.

“We’re here to fix what happened in 1945, with him joining the Civil Service at war’s end, and make sure he get the medals he earned during the war,” said Glenn Husted, MAFM Arms and Vehicle Conservator.

Jones received Honorable Service Lapel Pin for his service in World War II, the Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, The American Campaign Medal, the European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the 761st Tank Battalion for extraordinary heroism in World War II.

“I’m going to try to reach to the bottom of my heart, to express what’s in my heart, but that’s impossible,” said Jones. “It’s not about me, but the thousands of men who fought under the flag for the freedom we now enjoy. We had a duty, and I think each and every man in the battalion was willing, and did what they could, and I can’t say enough about them.”

• Date Taken: 06.15.2013
• Date Posted: 08.09.2013 12:50
• Story ID: 111667
• Location: CAMP SHELBY, MS, US