Jones Interviewed as Charter Member of St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church
Wilbur Jones was recently interviewed for a series on the Charter Members, those who were around when StACPC merged in June 1944, for the April issue of Saints Alive. Read the article on pages 12-13 HERE.
A Fleet for Liberty – Wrightsville Beach Magazine
Head to the west end of Shipyard Boulevard, get as close as possible to the shadow of the big blue cranes, and it just might be possible to hear the echoes of the past. This once was the location of the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company (NCSC). From 1941 to 1946, tens of thousands of men […]
La dolce vita
A Wilmington author who recently visited Italy offers a guide to that nation’s delights. Wilbur Jones has written numerous articles for the StarNews, most about military history. Here the Wilmington author, who recently visited Italy, offers a guide to that nation’s delights. CLICK TO READ FULL STORY
Jones watches Queen Mary 2 rescue yachtsman in the mid-Atlantic
ABOARD THE QUEEN MARY 2 — Originally my StarNews assignment for the Queen Mary 2 westbound transatlantic crossing in June was ascertaining myriad reasons why passengers book such voyages. Never imagined: Let’s go witness a mid-North Atlantic rescue. Yet, on June 10, diverted from our track from Southampton, England, we plucked a yachtsman from his […]
Wilmington’s World War II city designation may finally happen
A bill designating the Port City as the first “American World War II City” should pass this year, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr said during a visit to Wilmington on Thursday. “I think we’re very close,” said Burr, R-N.C. “I don’t see anything that stands in the way, now that, when we get back, we’ll have […]
Jones Featured in NY Times
Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. was recently featured in a New York Times article titled The Battles of Wilmington, N.C. — in World War II, That Is. CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE Excerpt This city has its share of museums and tourist attractions, including the Museum of the Bizarre (featuring a unicorn horn and a Sasquatch footprint); […]
Wilmington, En Route as the First “American World War II City
Read a recent article from Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. on the Wilmington, NC website titled Wilmington, En Route as the First “American World War II City,” as a WWII Tourism Destination. Excerpt Fresh from the February passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of a bill that would designate Wilmington as the first “American World […]
End of World War II brought uncertain future
Wilbur D. Jones Jr. recently wrote an article for the 70th Anniversary of V-J Day in the Star News. Click to Read the Full Article
WHQR Midday Interview: Wilbur Jones Jr.
Historian and author Wilbur Jones Jr. has traveled extensively throughout the past 50+ years, and his hobby of photography has led to the creation of a stunning collection of historical and artistic images. A collection of these photos is going up for display at the Hannah Block Historic USO at 120 S. 2nd Street. The […]
Senator Burr introduces Wilmington – World War II City Bill
A U.S. Senate bill would designate Wilmington as the first American World War II City. The bill directs the secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate one city a year as a WWII city, beginning with Wilmington. U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., introduced the bill last week. It was referred to the Senate’s Armed Services Committee. […]
McCrory Appoints Jones as Chairman of USS North Carolina Battleship Commission
In 2014, Governor Pat McCrory appointed Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. as chairman of the USS North Carolina Battleship Commission. Jones, a Wilmington native, is the first Wilmingtonian to be named commission chairman since founder Hugh Morton served in 1962. Jones’ statutory job is to monitor the operations and plans of the Battleship, North Carolina’s memorial […]
The Legacy of Carroll Eloise Robbins Jones
Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. lost his wife of 54 years, confidant and in-house editor on September 22, 2013. Please click the link below and take a few minutes to read her truly remarkable life story that began 79 years ago. In Memory of Carroll Eloise Robbins Jones
Governor McCrory Appoints Jones to USS North Carolina Battleship Commision
Governor McCrory Appoints Wilmington World War II Historian Wilbur Jones to USS North Carolina Battleship Commission North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has appointed retired Navy Captain Wilbur D. Jones, Jr., to the USS North Carolina Battleship Commission. North Carolina Representative Ted Davis, Jr., on September 6 administered the oath of office to Jones, a Wilmington […]
ABC Features Jones in story on Liberty Ships
Wilmington ABC affiliate, WWAY News Channel 3, recently interviewed Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. for a story on Liberty Ships. View the story below.
DAR Presents Jones with Excellence in Community Service Award
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented CAPT Wilbur Jones with its “Excellence in Community Service Award” for his history preservation accomplishments. Registrar Ruth-Anne Bolz of the Stamp Defiance Chapter, DAR, the state’s largest chapter, delivered the award at its annual year-end luncheon meeting on May 11, 2013, in Wilmington.
WWII Memorial Giclee Dedication and Medal of Honor Recipient Charles Murray Documentary Event
World War II History Preservation Event Features National WWII Memorial Giclee Dedication and Medal of Honor Recipient Charles Murray Documentary The momentum to preserve Southeastern North Carolina’s rich World War II history continues on Saturday, February 23, with the dedication of a giclee of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D. C., and […]
Article on Jones’ Effort to Have Wilmington Declared First American World War II City
Recently, Bill Steelman of the Star News authored an article entitled Bill will honor Wilmington’s WWII History. The article details the most recent updates in the effort to have Wilmington declared the first “American World War II City.” Excerpt Legislation is on track to have Wilmington declared the first “American World War II City,” the […]
Remembering the Reuben James and its link to Wilmington
Read the guest article written by Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. for the Star News entitled Remembering the Reuben James and its link to Wilmington. Excerpt “Dearest Boy, It has been two days and still no one has told me that you are coming back to me. I know you will though, because my heart is […]
Jones Helps Host Sir Ben Kingsley
On October 21, CAPT Wilbur Jones participated with Battleship North Carolina Memorial executive director CAPT Terry Bragg and wife Phoebe in hosting British Oscar-winning actor (Ghandi) Sir Ben Kingsley on a tour of the Battleship. Sir Ben, recipient of numerous film and other acting awards, was in Wilmington finishing shooting on Iron Man 3. He […]
Jones Honored with Wilmington StarNews Media Lifetime Achievement Award
On July 12, 2012, Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. was honored as “a local historian who always makes us pause and never stop remembering the sacrifices the greatest generation made for our country during World War II.” READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
