Joseph McNeil
| Joseph McNeil | |
|---|---|
Official U.S. Air Force Photo
|
|
| Birth name | Joseph Alfred McNeil |
| Born |
March 25, 1942 Wilmington, North Carolina |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1963–2000 |
| Rank |
 Major General |
| Unit |
 702nd Military Airlift Squadron 22nd Air Force
|
| Commands held | Unknown |
| Battles/wars |
Vietnam War Operation Arc Light Operation Young Tiger |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal (with silver star) Southwest Asia Service Medal (with bronze star) Humanitarian Service Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award (with 4 oak leaf clusters) Armed Forces Reserve Medal Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Ina (Brown) McNeil |
Joseph Alfred McNeil (born March 25, 1942) is a retired Major general in the United States Air Force who is best known as a member of the Greensboro Four; a group of African American college students who, on February 1, 1960, sat down at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina challenging the store's policy of denying service to non-white customers.
McNeil was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on March 25, 1942. He was president of his parish's Catholic Youth Council. McNeil received his early education from Williston Senior High School and soon after graduation, his parents moved the family to New York City. McNeil entered North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, then the Agricultural & Technical College of North Carolina, having been awarded a Full scholarship. A stark contrast from the more open northern society, McNeil found difficulty living in the segregated south.
On February 1, 1960; McNeil, along with three other A&T freshmen: Ezell Blair, Jr., Franklin McCain and David Richmond, walked together from the university's library to the downtown Greensboro Woolworth store. Once there, the men purchased items from a desegregated counter, and then sat down at the "whites only" lunch counter where the group was refused service. McNeil and the group stayed until the store closed, and then left to return the next day. as media coverage of the demonstrations grew, more protests were being staged through the state of North Carolina, and other Southern cities. As sales at boycotted stores began to be affected by the protests, store owners began to serve all customers in their establishments. After staging the sit-ins, McNeil became involved with the formation of the Student Executive Committee for Justice. This joint organization between A&T students and the women of nearby Bennett College, focused on the picketing of segregated downtown Greensboro establishments. McNeil would later participate in negotiations between student protesters, Woolworth’s management, and the Human Relations Commission.
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