Lee student highlights her hometown heroes
The Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points is launching the Hometown Heroes Program to honor the countless men and women from Bradley County who have served in the United States Military. Banners honoring nominees will hang in downtown Cleveland throughout 2026, with a service of dedication, commemorating the honorees, held earlier this month. This program recognizes Bradley County’s significant military history and celebrates America’s 250th birthday.
The museum received more than 50 nominations from friends and family members of the military community. Jessie Henderson, a senior history and digital media double major, submitted three individuals to the program: two family members and another veteran from the Cleveland area. Henderson has been involved with the Cleveland Museum for several years and was the keynote speaker at the dedication.
“My dad and grandfather have been telling me about the soldiers in our family... so hearing about that growing up, it became an interest for me. It was always a big deal that we respected our veterans,” Henderson said.
The three soldiers nominated by Henderson served during World War II and grew up in the Cleveland area. Henderson is directly related to Staff Sergeant Joe O. Williams and Staff Sergeant C. Edward Hixson. Jessie discovered the third soldier, First Sergeant James Polk "JP" O'Neal, during a school project a couple of years ago.
Williams is Henderson’s great-grandfather and was in the Ranger Battalions. Williams served in Italy, Sicily, and North Africa throughout World War II. He received multiple awards, including the Combat Infantry Badge, the American Campaign Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal. Williams was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2022 and received the Gold Medal for World War II Rangers in 2025.
“I asked my grandfather, his son, to describe ‘Papaw Joe’ and he said he [was] a hero to him and all other men were small in comparison,” said Henderson.
Staff Sergeant C. Edward Hixon served in the Army Air Corps until 1944, when his plane was shot down. Henderson’s great-great-uncle’s legacy is continued by his sister and family who honor his memory.
“He was only 23 years old when he died, so my grandmother never got to meet him. She is very proud of him, talks about him a lot, and my great uncle is named after him,” said Henderson.
Also nominated by Henderson, First Sergeant James Polk O’Neal grew up in Cleveland. He attended Bradley High School, joined the National Guard at a young age, and served in the infantry during World War II. O’Neal died shortly after the D-Day invasions of June 1944, leaving behind a wife and one-year-old daughter. Henderson connected with the O'Neal family while in high school, and has continued a relationship with them, resulting in honoring him as a “Hometown Hero.”
“He’s really special to me, even though he’s not family. I was very excited when we got to put a banner up for him,” said Henderson.
O’Neal’s banner hangs with Henderson’s family members downtown. For more information about the Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points or the Hometown Heroes program, call (423) 339-5745 or visit museumcenter.org.
