FORT BRAGG, NC – A U.S. Army Paratrooper courageously protected a fellow comrade by intervening and preventing a sexual assault.
Cpl. Deozjane Jones, a paratrooper assigned to 1-319th Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division dutifully acted as her sisters’ keeper. Regardless of only being a Private First Class at the time, Jones risked her physical safety to protect her fellow Paratrooper from a heinous act.
Truly representing the spirit of the 82nd Airborne Division, Jones remains humble about her brave actions and thinks of it as a matter of personal responsibility.
“If you see something that's going on that's wrong, it should be stopped,” said Jones. “Stepping in matters because if I didn’t step in, they would’ve gotten away with sexual assault.”
The strength of the Division is its people and Jones hopes her story will help other people intervene and take action against other possible instances of sexual assault.
“If you turn a blind eye to it, it happens,” said Jones. “If you see something, it should be stopped at all cost.”
Staff Sgt. China Perks, a paratrooper assigned to 1-319th Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division was proud of Jones when she heard about her fearlessness.
“I wasn’t surprised that she did that at all, that's just Jones,” she said “There should be more people out there like her.”
The All American Division has a powerful legacy and it represents Americans from all backgrounds and perspectives. Cpl. Jones’ act of selflessness embodies the Paratrooper’s spirit and it should serve as an example to current and future All Americans.
Article written by Spc. Hunter Garcia, 49th Public Affairs Detachment
Social Sharing