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Pearl Harbor survivor speaks to Marshall County students

By Chip Washington - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook

MARSHALL COUNTY, MS (WMC-TV) - A survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor spoke to students Monday in Marshall County about what it was like to serve at the beginning of World War II.

"I'm glad I was already in enlisted," T. L. Jones said Monday. "They didn't have to draft me. You know when you're young, you're Gung-Ho."

Jones, now 89-years-old, lives quietly in Olive Branch.  Monday, he spoke to children in Ms. Chitwood's class at Byhalia Elementary and Middle School about his military career.

"This is a very important day in history, just as 9/11 was, and we need to remember these people," Chitwood said.

Jones joined several other military personnel in fielding questions from an enthusiastic group of students.  Jones said he and his brother joined the Navy on December 16, 1940. He was 21, and his brother was 19.  They were serving on the U.S.S. Nevada when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

"Everything's burning and ships are blowing up and sinking all around you," he said. "That's what it was. They destroyed the Pacific fleet. That's all there was to it."

Sixth-grader Deldrick Adams listened attentively.

"I'm ready to join the army or military." he said. "I mean, I'm just so happy for them coming and teaching me. Great learning experience."

Jones described today's war in no uncertain terms.

"War is hell, and being over there, I feel sorry for them," he said. "Still, it's probably necessary."

Jones said if he had it to do all over again, he probably would, telling students they should always remember the sacrifices of soldiers who died for our country.

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