Johnny “Joey” Jones, a prominent Fox News personality, is no stranger to hardship and heartache. While he may now be known for his role as a military analyst and contributor to Fox News, his journey to fame and recognition has been anything but conventional. In 2010, while serving as a Marine stationed in Afghanistan, Joey’s life changed forever after a horrific explosion that left him a double amputee. What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that it was all captured on camera.

Jones’ life-altering accident occurred when he stood on an improvised explosive device (IED), losing both of his legs. The incident was not only devastating but also profoundly symbolic of the sacrifices made by so many service members in combat zones. In the months leading up to the explosion, Jones had shared his experiences with ABC’s Nightline, providing chilling insights into the tension of his deployment. In one interview, he explained, “A good day is us being bored and training Marines how to find IEDs. A bad day is coming out here and doing our job, and something going wrong.”

Sadly, something did go wrong. Jones and his colleague, Daniel Greer, were captured by CBS News just before the explosion. The footage would later show the two men being carried away on stretchers, the aftermath of a deadly blast that would change their lives forever. Jones, still alive but severely injured, shared the immediate aftermath of the explosion with Nightline. He recalled, “When I landed, I wasn’t feeling pain yet, but I knew what had happened. My face felt swollen automatically, and I could see my legs were gone. So I knew that, maybe just by the blood loss I had received so far, I might not make it.”

Despite the overwhelming odds, Joey Jones survived. But his recovery was a painful journey, both physically and mentally. The immediate physical toll was harrowing, but it was the psychological scars that were the hardest to bear. In a deeply personal moment, Jones opened up about the agony of phantom limb pain. “Sometimes it felt like someone was twisting my foot around … trying to pop it off,” he described, explaining how the excruciating pain lingered even after the loss of his limbs.

Even more tragic was the loss of his dear friend and colleague, Daniel Greer, who succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the blast. Joey spoke candidly about the guilt and grief he felt over his friend’s death. “I think about him every day. And there’s no amount of emotion that could ever take that away,” he shared in a later interview. The emotional burden was heavy, and Jones admitted to struggling with survivor’s guilt, often wondering if there was more he could have done.

Years later, Jones would honor Greer’s memory in profound ways. During a 2022 segment on Fox News, Jones dedicated his “Alive Day” to Greer. “I’m the guy on TV. It’s easy to draw attention to myself about my Alive Day,” he said, before shifting the focus to his fallen friend. He paid tribute to Greer’s sacrifice, saying, “Daniel died protecting me that day, and I have to believe I’m sitting here learning how to talk for a living ’cause he’s still doing it.”

In 2024, Joey once again used his Alive Day to reflect on his grief, acknowledging the difficulty of coming to terms with the loss of Greer. “Today is a day of reflection and some sadness but not a celebration,” he shared in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter). His ongoing commitment to honoring Greer’s sacrifice is nothing short of inspiring. Jones’ ability to turn his pain into a tribute to his friend’s legacy showcases his resilience and determination to honor those who gave everything for their country.

But loss didn’t stop there for Joey Jones. In 2019, he was devastated by the death of his father, a loss that shook him to his core. In a poignant Instagram post, he asked his followers to pray for his father, writing, “He’s taught me a lot … I hope I’ve taught him to stay alive even when they think you can’t. Please pray for my daddy.” Tragically, Jones’ father passed away that same day. Jones later revealed the heart-wrenching details of his father’s death, sharing that he had witnessed the event and attempted to save him with CPR until the paramedics arrived.

The pain of losing his father was compounded by the emotional toll of being unable to save him. A few months after his father’s passing, Jones opened up about the deep sense of loss, posting on X, “I did CPR on him till the paramedics got here and I pulled the plug on him the next day.” It’s a moment that no child should have to experience, and the grief Jones carried with him was clear in his words.

Jones has continued to honor his father’s memory over the years, sharing sweet photos and heartfelt captions on social media. In 2021, he posted an image of him and his father with the caption, “I need you more now than ever,” reflecting just how deeply he missed him. On what would have been his father’s birthday in 2022, he shared another emotional post, humorously noting, “The only thing he held tighter than a brick trowel (or a beer/cigarette) was the ones he loved.” These moments, though tinged with sadness, speak to the love and admiration Joey has for his late father.

In 2024, Jones once again opened up about the staggering losses he had endured over the past 15 years. His father’s death was just one in a series of heartbreaking moments. He shared that he had also lost his grandfather when he was 22, followed by countless friends and family members during his military service. “It’s been a steady trickle since,” he wrote, sharing the painful truth of how many loved ones he had lost over the years. In the same post, he revealed the devastating loss of his uncle Troy, who passed away from cancer just months after being given a few months to live. “We love you, Troy,” he said, honoring his late uncle’s legacy.

Joey’s raw vulnerability in sharing his grief resonated with many, particularly when he spoke about the toll that aging and loss had taken on him. “Perhaps the worst part of aging are these seasons of death,” he wrote. “From 22-37 my entire social construct has felt as if it’s going extinct.” Despite the weight of this emotional burden, Joey’s ability to remain open and share his pain has made him a relatable and inspiring figure to those who follow his journey.

Through all of the immense loss and personal tragedy, Joey Jones has continued to stand strong, using his platform to raise awareness, honor his fallen comrades, and keep the memory of those he’s lost alive. His resilience in the face of so much adversity is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and his dedication to honoring those who have sacrificed for their country and their families is an inspiration to us all.