Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Lafayette
Jones
1911-06-01

–

1987-10-11

Born:

Dallas

, 

Texas

Home:

Dallas

, 

Texas

Buried: 

Glendale

, 

California

Cemetery:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park

James L. Jones graduated from Wiley College at Marshall, Texas, receiving his B.A. in 1933. He then attended Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, Wisconsin, and was ordained a Methodist minister. He entered military service and was commissioned as a U.S. Army chaplain. At the Anzio beachhead in Italy, he became the first Black chaplain of any branch of service to be awarded the Silver Star. On March 8, one month after his Silver Star action, he again went to the aid of two wounded men when he was severely wounded by a German “Screaming’ Mimi” mine, and was evacuated back to the United States for treatment. After the war he became the first pastor of Morgan Chapel, a new church on the east side of Los Angeles.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    5th Army

    Action Date:

    January 27 – February 25, 1944
    Headquarters, FIFTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 63 (1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) James L. Jones, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain in a Quartermaster unit of the FIFTH Army, on the Anzio beachhead from 27 January 1944 to 25 February 1944. Chaplain Jones persisted in remaining with his men in the most dangerous areas. On one occasion he ignored Germany artillery to go to the aid of two of his wounded men, and on another he raced 500 yards through heavy enemy fire to assists in extinguishing a conflagration at a Quartermaster supply dump. The inspiration afforded by his unselfish devotion and personal sacrifice is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.