One might agree that courage is found in unlikely places and that place is right here in one Greenville resident, John “Jay” Blount Jr.
A former educator, coach and football tackle, Blount in August was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom — the highest recognition the U.S. Department of Defense can bestow on any civilian.
Blount is only the second Mississippian to receive this honor. The first was Tommy Hammill, of Macon, who in 2004 escaped captivity while wounded after insurgents ambushed his fuel convoy near Baghdad.
Blount spent 42 months in Iraq, aside from family and personal leave, working as a civilian contractor in support of U.S. defense missions.
“We’d build whatever the troops wanted. A softball field, baseball field, soccer field,” Blount said.
Blount said the troops were just glad to be able to have that little bit of relaxation in the middle of the desert. When 9/11 hit, Blount said he felt too old to serve again, but he still felt like there was something he could do. Turns out, there was and maybe even more than he’d anticipated.
In July 2008, a cell phone-activated IED blew up Blount’s caravan, which had a convoy of 50 trucks in the front and 50 trucks in the rear.
“We were riding to the base, which takes several hours. The blast pushed us about 200 yards and sucked the armored doors off,” he said.
Blount recalled how tiring it was after the blast pulling everybody out to safety and carrying someone 100 yards across the desert.
“We did that several times until we had eight or nine people on choppers for further medical treatment,” he said with a spirit of pride.
Even though Blount sustained several injuries of his own as a result of the blast, he was able to assist others who were wounded and deceased. His commander ordered him to get treated immediately and the following day, he woke up in the hospital very aware of those injuries.
About a week later, Blount was sent back to the states to begin recovery. There are some medications he will need to take the rest of his life, but Blount said he is just grateful to be able to share his story.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith presided over the formal presentation of the medal last month in Jackson. Blount was nominated for the medal in 2013 after sending in the necessary paperwork to Senator Thad Cochran’s office in 2012 and learning in the following December it had been approved.
“My award was actually sent to Houston, Texas, and was sitting on a shelf in one of the offices for about five years,” Blount said, noting it wasn’t long after the award arrived at Hyde-Smith’s office.
Thrilled and rendered speechless when first receiving news of the honor, Blount said he experienced many nervous thoughts and emotions as the formal ceremony neared.
“I started getting sick to my stomach. Thought I was gonna have to make a speech, which I did,” Blount said.
Once the big day arrived, Blount was joined by his son, Heath, daughter, Jade, daughter-in-law, Megan, and grandson, Sutton.
Blount said the ceremony and staff at Hyde-Smith’s office turned out to be a great experience. Recalling a touching exchange of facial expressions between his grandson and Hyde-Smith, Blount said, “They had the works.”
Hyde-Smith said it was honor to recognize Blount for his act of heroism.
“The people of Mississippi join in honoring Jay Blount for the heroism demonstrated under the most dangerous and trying conditions,” Hyde-Smith said. “I’m pleased the efforts of my office, and that of former Senator Cochran, helped ensure proper recognition for Jay’s bravery.”
