Johnny “Joey” Jones is a retired U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant, explosive ordnance disposal technician, author, and Fox News contributor. He lost both legs above the knee to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on August 6, 2010. This Johnny Joey Jones biography covers his military service, recovery, media career, books, honors, and 2026 return to the Marine Corps.
Who Is Johnny Joey Jones?
Johnny “Joey” Jones is a retired U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant, bestselling author, and Fox News contributor from Dalton, Georgia. Jones is known for his work as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician, his recovery after losing both legs, and his veterans advocacy. Examples include his role at Fox News and his work with the Boot Campaign.
The table below lists 10 quick facts about Johnny Joey Jones. The left column names the fact category, and the right column gives the value for each category.
| Fact Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Johnny “Joey” Jones |
| Hometown | Dalton, Georgia |
| Military branch | U.S. Marine Corps |
| Rank | Staff sergeant |
| Military specialty | Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician |
| Enlistment | April 2005 |
| Injury date | August 6, 2010 |
| Education | Georgetown University, degree completed in 2014 |
| Media role | Fox News contributor since 2019 and co-host of The Big Weekend Show |
| Books | 2 New York Times bestsellers |
What Was Johnny Joey Jones’s Early Life Like?
Johnny Joey Jones grew up in Dalton, Georgia, according to Fox News and Team Never Quit. His family history includes moonshiners and race car drivers, and his father and uncles worked as brick masons, according to Team Never Quit.
How Did Johnny Joey Jones Serve in the Marine Corps?
Jones enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in April 2005 and served 8 years, according to the Marine Corps Reserve Association (USMCRA) and Fox News. His service followed 4 steps:
- Enlisted as a radio technician in April 2005
- Deployed to Iraq in September 2007 as a machine gunner
- Retrained as an explosive ordnance disposal technician
- Deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010
Jones retired as a staff sergeant, according to Fox News.
What Happened to Johnny Joey Jones in Afghanistan?
On August 6, 2010, Johnny Joey Jones stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan and lost both legs above the knee. Team Never Quit reports the blast also caused severe damage to his right forearm and both wrists.
His EOD team destroyed nearly 80 improvised explosive devices during the deployment, according to Team Never Quit and USMCRA. Military Times reports a figure of more than 85.
How Did Johnny Joey Jones Recover From His Injuries?
Jones recovered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for about 2 years, according to USMCRA. His recovery and education followed 5 milestones:
- Founded a peer visit program for recently injured veterans at Walter Reed
- Completed a 1-year fellowship with the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
- Regained full physical independence in July 2011
- Enrolled at Georgetown University in July 2011
- Earned a Georgetown degree in May 2014
Jones medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2012, according to Military Times. Fox News reports he received an invitation to the White House from President Barack Obama in 2012.
What Is Johnny Joey Jones’s Alive Day?
Johnny Joey Jones marks August 6 as his Alive Day, the anniversary of the 2010 injury. Fox News reports Jones received a Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice in combat.
How Did Johnny Joey Jones Become a Fox News Contributor?
Johnny Joey Jones joined Fox News Media in 2019 as a contributor providing military analysis, according to Fox News. He co-hosts The Big Weekend Show on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 PM to 8 PM ET.
The table below lists 5 media roles. The first column names the role, the second column names the program or platform, and the third column gives the detail.
| Role | Program or Platform | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Contributor | Fox News Media | Military analysis, since 2019 |
| Co-host | The Big Weekend Show | Saturdays and Sundays, 5 PM to 8 PM ET |
| Host | Fox Nation Outdoors | Outdoor series on Fox Nation |
| Host | Proud American | Podcast on Fox News Audio |
| Rotating host | Fox and Friends and The Five | Reported by Team Never Quit |
Jones also had a speaking role in the film Lincoln and appeared in Range 15. He served as a technical advisor for the film Bad Hurt, according to Team Never Quit.
What Books Did Johnny Joey Jones Write?
Johnny Joey Jones wrote 2 New York Times bestselling books, both published by Fox News Books, according to Fox News. Behind the Badge covers America’s first responders, according to Fox News Radio.
The table below lists the 2 books. The first column gives the title, the second column gives the release date, and the third column names the publisher.
| Title | Release | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Unbroken Bonds of Battle | June 27, 2023 | Fox News Books |
| Behind the Badge: Answering the Call to Serve on America’s Homefront | 2025 | Fox News Books |
What Awards Has Johnny Joey Jones Received?
Johnny Joey Jones has received 2 documented honors, according to Fox News:
- Purple Heart, for his service and sacrifice in combat
- John R. “Tex” McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism, presented at the 2025 Patriot Award Gala in Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center hosted the gala, and actor Gary Sinise emceed.
What Charity and Advocacy Work Does Johnny Joey Jones Do?
Johnny Joey Jones works with at least 5 veterans organizations and programs, according to Fox News, Team Never Quit, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation:
- Boot Campaign: former chief operating officer
- Camp Southern Ground: senior advisor for military programming, where he designed and piloted a Warrior Week transition program
- Sentinels of Freedom: joined the veterans scholarship and support program in 2012
- Team Never Quit: motivational speaker and leadership consultant
- Tunnel to Towers Foundation: Smart Home Program recipient
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off his mortgage and renovated his home for accessibility. The home was completed on November 5, 2019.
Why Did Johnny Joey Jones Reenlist in the Marine Corps?
Johnny Joey Jones reenlisted in the Marine Corps on May 20, 2026, at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth administered the oath, according to Military Times. Jones had medically retired in 2012 and described his return as unfinished business.
Jones serves as a Marine Corps reservist at the rank of staff sergeant, according to USMCRA. His assignment involves EOD policy work inside the Pentagon, and he supports Marines and engineers in the EOD community. Mediaite reports he keeps his role as co-host of The Big Weekend Show.
Who Is Johnny Joey Jones’s Family?
Johnny Joey Jones has a son, according to Fox News Radio. Jones says his son inspired him to rebuild his life after the 2010 injury.
The Fox News and Team Never Quit profiles do not name a spouse. Details about other family members are limited in reliable sources.
What Are the Key Dates in Johnny Joey Jones’s Life?
The table below lists 13 key dates in Johnny Joey Jones’s life. The first column gives the date, and the second column describes the event.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2005 | Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps |
| September 2007 | Deployed to Iraq |
| March 2010 | Deployed to Afghanistan |
| August 6, 2010 | Lost both legs above the knee to an improvised explosive device |
| July 2011 | Regained full physical independence and enrolled at Georgetown University |
| 2012 | Medically retired, joined Sentinels of Freedom, and received a White House invitation |
| May 2014 | Earned a degree from Georgetown University |
| 2019 | Joined Fox News Media as a contributor |
| November 5, 2019 | Tunnel to Towers Foundation completed his accessible home |
| June 27, 2023 | Released Unbroken Bonds of Battle |
| 2025 | Released Behind the Badge |
| October 2025 | Received the John R. “Tex” McCrary Award for Excellence in Journalism |
| May 20, 2026 | Reenlisted in the Marine Corps at the Pentagon |
What Are People Also Asking About Johnny Joey Jones?
What is Joey Jones’s rank?
Joey Jones is a staff sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Where is Joey Jones from?
Joey Jones is from Dalton, Georgia.
What happened to Joey Jones’s legs?
Joey Jones lost both legs above the knee to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on August 6, 2010.
What does Joey Jones do at Fox News?
Joey Jones is a Fox News contributor and co-host of The Big Weekend Show.
What books has Joey Jones written?
Joey Jones wrote Unbroken Bonds of Battle in 2023 and Behind the Badge in 2025.
Where did Joey Jones go to college?
Joey Jones earned his degree from Georgetown University in 2014.
Did Joey Jones reenlist in the Marine Corps?
Joey Jones reenlisted in the Marine Corps on May 20, 2026.
Who Is Johnny Joey Jones in Summary?
Johnny Joey Jones is a retired U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant and EOD technician from Dalton, Georgia. He enlisted in April 2005, lost both legs above the knee on August 6, 2010, and earned a Georgetown degree in 2014. He joined Fox News in 2019, wrote 2 New York Times bestselling books, and reenlisted in the Marine Corps on May 20, 2026. This Johnny Joey Jones biography shows a career that spans military service, media, and veterans advocacy.
Sources:
- Johnny Jones | Fox News
- Veteran who lost both of his legs in combat reenlists in the Marine Corps | Military Times
- Johnny “Joey” Jones | Team Never Quit
- Retired combat vet rejoins Marine Corps | USMCRA
- Fox News Host Joey Jones Re-Enlists in Marine Corps With Ex-Network Colleague Hegseth Swearing Him In | Mediaite
- Fox News’ Joey Jones receives excellence in journalism award at Tennessee gala | Fox News
- GREAT AMERICANS: Johnny Joey Jones | Fox News Radio
- Johnny Joey Jones | Tunnel to Towers Foundation