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African American sailor receives Navy Cross for actions during Battle of Leyte Gulf 52 years later

Page 16A Thursday, May 1, 1997 The Anniston Star Black sailor awarded Navy Cross a half-century later By Michael E. Ruane Knight-Ridder Newspapers WASHINGTON Even now, 52 years! later, it comes back to Robert Jones in an instant: He is harnessed to a 20mm anti-aircraft gun. The sand-colored, Japanese plane is sweeping over the ocean right for his ship, the carrier Intrepid. Jones waits agonized seconds for permission to fire. Finally he opens up. "Da-da-da-da-da..." One wing of the Bogie comes off: Then the other. But momentum carries the aircraft onward. There is a fiery explosion. Then, blackness. Jones' deeds that October day in 1944 were worthy of the Navy's second highest combat honor, the Navy Cross. But Jones, of Newport News, Va., then a lowly AfricanAmerican ship's cook, would have to wait. Wednesday, his waiting ended. Former Steward Third Class Robert Jones, now 71, who still bears the burn scars from flaming aviation fuel, was awarded the Navy Cross in an emotional ceremony in the Capitol. Proudly wearing a World War IIera sailor's uniform and white cap, Jones had the burnished gold medal pinned on by Secretary of the Navy John Dalton, as his powerful congressman and a busload of family and d friends looked on. Jones stood somberly as a Naval officer read his medal citation for service in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Only after the officer had finished and Dalton had pinned on the medal did Jones permit himself a shy smile, and he raised the diploma-like citation over his head for all to see. "This is a day long overdue," Dalton told onlookers crammed into a glittering ceremonial room over- some men and melting skin on, Jones's arms and upper body, leav-' ing scars that would later frighten his children. Jones remembers nothing after that. He underwent extensive hospital treatment, at one point being bandaged almost head to foot. When he returned home after the war, his wife said, he was jittery, had a nervous tick, and a dread of fire. Even a lit match made him jump, she said. Over time, though, he healed physically and mentally, went on to a working life in Newport News, often holding down two jobs at a time to support his wife and six children. Several years ago he learned through a history videotape that many of the men who helped save the Intrepid that day received the deeds. were overlooked because of his race. Last August, though, his eldest daughter, Shirley DeBrew, 52, gathered his Navy records and petitioned a local congressman, U.S. Rep. Robert C. Scott, for help. Within a month Scott had received acknowledgment from the Navy that Jones was due the Navy Cross. Wednesday, as •he told his story, someone asked why he had worn the old sailor's uniform to the ceremony. "A lot of shipmates were buried in this uniform," he said. "I'm paying my respects to them also...I wanted to wear this special for 1 my looking the Mall and the Washington Monument. "This award ceremony should have taken place over 50 years ago in the Pacific theater of World War II. We are gathered here to set the record straight." "Robert Jones walked the walk, that fateful day," Dalton said. "He stood firm, took a stand and stared death in the face. He is truly a Navy and a National hero." Jones, who was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife, Minnie, and numerous children and grandchildren, had enlisted in the Navy at 17 during World War II and at 19 found himself in the middle of the biggest naval engagement in history. The U.S. Navy was in the process of administering a final, crushing defeat to the Japanese Navy in the battle off the coast of the Philippine Islands. Jones and some other cooks and stewards had just been trained on their anti-aircraft guns, when battle stations sounded Oct. 29. He said there were 30 Japanese planes in the attack. He raced to the gun, which fired 60 rounds a minute and required a three-man crew to operate. He was on the trigger. Jones said they first got a radio report that the enemy plane was inbound. Then he spotted the plane, a small aircraft with a red rising sun emblem, but had to wait for permission to open fire. Once cleared, he opened up, 1 following the aircraft as it closed on the carrier. It was the first time he had ever fired the gun in combat. "She was trying to get the bridge," he said of the enemy plane. **I started firing. I hit that wing...One of my other fellows said he hit the second wing." "I couldn't let him get through. I couldn't let him get through the task force...He'd have ruined us. You don't want to let him hit that chart house. You got the captain and everything up there." But the plane crashed into the carrier and exploded. Burning fuel spewed everywhere, incinerating Navy Cross. His family believes his friends' that didn't make it." Imperial Air Duct Cleaning 2845 Bullocks Ferry Road Alpine, AL 35014 Many readers of this particular publication are uninformed of the following information pertaining to "Indoor Air Quality Control." As you begin to read the following facts about this subject, you and your family will gain an advantage to your breathing environment in your home. Our society today spends a great deal of time indoors; where we incur greater environmental exposures. Most homes hardly ever have their air ventilation system inspected at all. Many families today suffer with allergies or allergy related symptoms never knowing why. Many families suffer with breathing disorders such as asthma, influenza and various breathing complications. Furthermore, most homes have dwelling inside air ducts items such as pollen, dust, mold spores, fungi and several other harmful pollutants. However, when you have the air ventilation system professionally cleaned, the indoor air quality is restored to a level that protects you and your family's health from exposure to unwanted bacteria and harmful pollutants. That's why we at Imperial Air Duct Cleaning provide you and your family with the resources and services for an improved quality of breathing. Responsible care is our commitment to you. For everyday solutions to your future problems call 362-0203 or 1-800-978-9512 and schedule your appointment immediately. Ret. Navy Petty Officer Robert Jones, 71, 0 of Newport News, Va., still bears burn scars from injuries received in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Associated Press
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