J. Paul Montgomery is the founder of Hero’s, a nonprofit organization that aids in the exposure of black youth to community heroes and provide positive role models to the next generation of leaders. Located in Austin, Texas, Hero’s was formerly named Churches Organized to Assist, later to be known as Patriarchies/Matriarchies Children’s Fund, also known as Hero’s. Immensely proud of the contributions he has made to helping the youth of tomorrow’s world, Mr. Montgomery is also extremely proud of the successes of his own children.
At the inception of his career, Mr. Montgomery enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959, serving until his military retirement in 1980. Achieving the rank of E-7, he was notably in the top 2% of recruiters in the United States and gained a recruiting percentage of 160%. Previously involved in army intelligence from the mid-1960s to early 1970s, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he directed combat operations. This position required him to coordinate with infantry, engineers and other combative elements, including attack helicopters, to compile a tactical force in which to engage the enemy. As a result of his efforts, he was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for going above and beyond the call of duty.
In light of his military success, Mr. Montgomery also earned several decorations, such as the Driver Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Defense Service Medal. He also received a Good Conduct Medal and Clasp, Bronze Five Loops, an Army Commendation and the Meritorious Service Medal, which is the highest medal one can receive for administrative duty in the military.
An ordained Baptist minister as well, Mr. Montgomery draws upon a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina from 1986, having previously earned an associate’s degree from Columbia College in 1980. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, and enjoys writing in his spare time. In 2013, he published his first book “Mama’s Black Child: A Veteran’s Memoir,” which is available on Amazon.com.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Montgomery intends to further the development of Hero’s and possibly turn the reins over to his son so that Mr. Montgomery can serve as an advisor.
