Hero Marine Who Lost Both Legs in Afghanistan Owns ‘Self-Righteous’ Commentators, Defends Trump’s Bombing
Cassandra Fairbanks
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Retired Marine Staff Sergeant Johnny “Joey” Jones, who lost both of his legs in Afghanistan, had some strong words for those slamming President Donald Trump over his use of the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb on Thursday. Big League Politics interviewed Jones after his series of tweets defending Trump.
Trump: I want to make a big splash in this Middle East thing
Mattis: we have these Tomahawk missiles
Trump: lame
Mattis: hold my beer.
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) April 13, 2017
The heroic Marine was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan on separate tours, working as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (bomb) Technician.
On August 6, 2010, after defusing 40 bombs in just five days, Jones’ life forever changed after stepping on an IED while clearing a minefield. The incident, which triggered a massive explosion, resulted in the loss of both his legs above the knee and severe damage to his right forearm and both wrists.
On Thursday, after Trump launched the MOAB and many on Twitter lost their minds, Jones set out to explain the reality of the situation.
We begged to use bombs on the minefield ghost town I lost my legs clearing. But by all means-continue your rhetorically righteous tweeting. https://t.co/OoyoxZzZtV
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) April 13, 2017
“We begged to use bombs on the minefield ghost town I lost my legs clearing. But by all means-continue your rhetorically righteous tweeting,” Jones asserted in a tweet.
I lost my legs because my gov't was afraid to use the tools they had and saw me as expendable. I wish I'd had this admin.
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) April 13, 2017
Jones stated that it is important to allow generals who are on the ground, not the public, to make decisions that will benefit troops — as well as keep them safe.
Because, I believe, more of us would've come home alive and whole if we'd used bombs to eradicate enemy safe havens-Feel free to disagree https://t.co/jnWsZKdGVO
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) April 13, 2017
The former-Marine also explained that the Obama Administration using all of the tools that they had available to them may have prevented his injuries, and the injuries of others.
Speaking to Big League Politics, Jones elaborated that the reason why it was so much more dangerous for our troops under the Obama administration was that “all tactics, policies, and procedures seemed so reliant on whether or not it would be a bad PR move, instead of whether or not it would save Marine lives.” He explained that the situation became so bad, that they eventually stopped bothering to call in air support, even when it was needed.
“We win wars because we own the air, and we own the night,” Jones said. “In 2010, military tactics were based on domestic politics instead what would be the best and safest tactics, because the New York Times commentary was a higher risk to the administration.”
Jones continued on to say that had this administration, with a higher priority on Marine lives than what the press will say, been in power, “I guarantee more of my buddies would still be alive.”
Since the incident, Jones has continued to be an inspiration, dedicating his life to helping other veterans.
“Determined to make the road to recovery easier for his fellow wounded veterans, Jones founded a peer visit program at Walter Reed, providing opportunities for others recovering to mentor and encourage newly-injured patients,” Jones’ biography reads. “His dedication and relentlessness led to an unprecedented year-long fellowship on Capitol Hill with the House of Representatives Veterans’ Affairs Committee, his work resulted in the creation of an annual fellowship for a wounded Marine.”
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