Johnnie Jones (lawyer): Difference between revisions

Johnnie A. Jones, Sr.
Born	1920 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US
Alma mater	Southern University
Occupations	Warrant Officer Civil Rights Attorney Former State Legislator

Johnnie A. Jones, Sr. (born 1920) is a former Louisiana state legislator, World War II D-Day veteran, former Warrant Officer (Junior Class) with the all-African American 494th Port Battalion, and civil rights attorney associated with the 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, the first large-scale bus boycott challenging segregation in the 1950s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge Boycott was a precursor to the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama.

Jones was the first African American warrant officer in the U.S. Army. In 2021, the U.S. Army awarded Jones the Purple Heart, 77 years after Jones was injured by shrapnel during the Allied's D-Day invasion of Omaha Beach during World War II. Earlier in 2021, the U.S. Department of the Army approved the award for both Jones and Ozzie Fletcher, a 99-year-old former private, who both had their war stories overlooked for decades, despite earning the medals at the historic Operation Overlord.

Jones served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972 to 1976.

Early Life

Born in 1920, Jones was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Prior to joining the military, he attended Southern University.

Military Career

After graduating from Southern University, Jones joined the U.S. Army in 1943. He was assigned to the 494th Port Battalion, an all-African American port battalion attached to the 6th Engineer Special Brigade that took part in Operation Overlord leading to the invasion of Normandy, France (D-Day at Omaha Beach. Jones served as a Warrant officer (United States) responsible for leading a unit unloading equipment and supplies onto Omaha Beach. Jones was the first ever African American Warrant officer (United States)(Junior Grade) in the U.S. Army.

Jones landed on Omaha Beach in the third wave of the Normandy invasion on D Day, June 7, 1944. Jones was injured on Omaha Beach, sustaining a back injury from his ship hitting a mine, and receiving shrapnel wounds to the neck from German air attacks and German sniper rounds. Around 2,000 African-American troops took part in Normandy invasion in several different roles.

Jones would continue to serve during World War II, fighting in the Northern France campaign in the Battle of the Bulge on the Western front.

On June 26, 2021, the U.S. Army awarded Jones a Purple Heart, 77 years after Jones was injured by shrapnel injuries during the Allied's D-Day invasion of Omaha Beach during World War II. The ceremony, held at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, was attended by various dignitaries including retired Lt. General Russel L. Honore, Joey Strickland, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy who pinned the Purple Heart medal onto Jones' jacket. General James McConville, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, commended Jones in writing, noting "[w]e owe you [Mr. Jones] a debt of gratitude, both for your sacrifices during World War II and for being a role model for African Americans aspiring to serve.”

Military Awards

• Purple Heart
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Legion of Honour (Chevalier rank)
• Croix de Guerre with Palm from France

Post World War Career, Law, Baton Rouge Bus Boycott

After World War II, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern University, In 1953, Jones earned a law degree from Southern University. Fifteen days after law school graduation, T.J. Jemison, Mt. Zion First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge minister and civil rights leader, recruited Jones to represent individuals arrested during the two-week Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, a precursor to the Montgomery Bus Boycott led by the reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. During the Civil Rights movement, Jones escaped an attempt on his life, leaping from his car before it exploded.

Jones practiced law until the age of 93, representing clients on numerous matters including civil rights legal cases. He lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Louisiana State Legislature, Civic Leadership

Jones served as the Assistant Parish Attorney for East Baton Rouge Parish from 1968 to 1972. In 1972, Jones was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, serving from 1972 to 1976. In 1976, Johnnie Jones lost his bid for reelection.