PRESS RELEASE: Johnny “Joey” Jones (SSGT USMC Ret.) To Be Awarded 2021 Genesis Legacy Medal From The National Purple Heart Honor

Purple Heart Recipient, Veterans Advocate and National Commentator to be Honored during 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project Event in New York

(Newburgh, NY) – The National Purple Heart Honor Mission, one of America’s leading organizations dedicated to paying tribute to our nation’s more than 1.8 million Purple Heart heroes, has announced that Purple Heart recipient, retired Marine Staff Sgt. Johnny “Joey” Jones, will be awarded the 2021 Genesis Legacy Medal. Jones will receive the award during the national group’s Purple Heart Patriot Project scheduled for next April.

Jones joined the Marine Corps in April 2005 and was deployed to Iraq in 2007 and 2008 before being sent to Afghanistan in March of 2010. On August 6, of that year, he and his explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team were searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Helmand Province. After the team cleared a device, Jones stepped on an IED. He suffered severe damage to his right forearm and both wrists and lost both legs above the knees as a result of the IED explosion.

“I know in receiving this award that I’m not just being recognized for any one thing I have done in my own life, but for the successes of a collective group of friends, family, and proud Americans who saw the worthy cause of investing time and resources into our nation’s severely wounded. Most importantly, this award recognizes that being severely wounded isn’t a life sentence and that’s something I’m only one of many veterans who’ve excelled in. This is truly an honor for me, but more importantly a recognition of the sacrifices made by my brothers on the battlefield,” said Jones.

He endured dozens of surgeries over several weeks and completed months of recovery and physical rehabilitation at Bethesda Naval Medical Center. While continuing his rehab, Jones started his college education and graduated from Georgetown University in 2014. During this time, he served on the staff of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and volunteered his time with several national military nonprofits. He now advocates for veterans causes by serving on the governing and advising boards of veterans’ organizations he believes in. In his professional career, Jones serves as a contributor and host for a leading news network, corporate and political consultant, and motivation speaker. Keeping the advancement of veteran’s issues and solutions at the forefront of everything he’s does.

Jones has used his personal story of overcoming adversity as a source of inspiration for fellow veterans and all Americans. He dedicates his work to the memory of Cpl. Daniel Greer who was killed in the explosion that injured him. Earlier this year, Jones celebrated his tenth “alive day” with a motivating personal essay that was widely lauded.

“It is a tremendous honor to recognize SSgt Johnny Joey Jones this year’s Purple Heart Genesis Legacy Medal recipient. He has become a truly powerful voice for our veterans and an inspiration to so many who bear the scars of war,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Chairman Richard Lay, a Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam War veteran. “Like the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Joey is making sure stories of our combat wounded are never forgotten.”

“SSgt Jones truly epitomizes the courage, sacrifice and selflessness of our Purple Heart heroes. Despite overwhelming odds, he has chosen to see every day as a gift, and dedicated his life to helping his fellow veterans,” said Col. Russell Vernon (Ret.), Executive Director for the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “SSgt Jones lives his life as the Genesis Group members did, in service to their fellow men and women.”  

The award will be presented as part of the Honor Mission’s 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project mission, scheduled for April 26 - 29, 2021. Inspired by the Honor Flight program, the Patriot Project is a multi-day salute to service that brings together Purple Heart heroes representing each U.S. state and territory to pay tribute to their courage and. One Purple Heart recipient and an escort of their choosing from each state in the nation receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York, West Point, the Hall of Honor and a week filled with tours and ceremonies honoring their service and all those who have earned the Purple Heart.

Honorees for the 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project were announced on Veterans Day.

Named for the four visionaries who conceived of and help build the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, the Genesis Legacy Medal is awarded every year to a prominent Purple Heart recipient and a non-Purple Heart veteran or civilian who have exhibited exemplary service to our nation or our veterans community. Past recipients of the Genesis Legacy Medal have included: former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, former New York State Governor George Pataki, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and others. U.S. Army General David Perkins and U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Megan Leavey were the award recipients in 2019.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to promote the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, pay tribute to our Purple Heart recipients, and educate all Americans about our combat-wounded veterans to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.