Joseph McNeil, Civil Rights Leader and Military Officer, Dies at 83

Joseph Alfred McNeil, a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement and a distinguished military officer, passed away on September 4, 2025, at the age of 83. As a member of the "Greensboro Four," McNeil's courageous actions in 1960 ignited a nationwide sit-in movement that played a significant role in dismantling racial segregation in the United States.

Born on March 25, 1942, in Wilmington, North Carolina, McNeil attended Williston Senior High School, where he was deeply influenced by teachers who instilled a strong sense of civic duty and awareness of civil rights. He later enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), majoring in engineering physics.

On February 1, 1960, McNeil, along with fellow freshmen Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr. (later Jibreel Khazan), and David Richmond, initiated a sit-in at the segregated lunch counter of an F.W. Woolworth store in Greensboro. After purchasing items elsewhere in the store, they sat at the "whites-only" counter and politely requested service, which was denied. Despite being asked to leave, they remained seated until the store closed. This act of nonviolent protest sparked a movement that quickly spread to other cities, leading to the desegregation of numerous public spaces.

The Greensboro sit-ins were instrumental in the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in April 1960. SNCC became a vital organization in the civil rights movement, organizing freedom rides, voter registration drives, and other forms of direct action to combat racial injustice. The committee's efforts were significant in the passage of landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

After graduating from North Carolina A&T in 1963, McNeil joined the United States Air Force. He served as a navigator on KC-135 Stratotankers during the Vietnam War, participating in operations such as Arc Light and Young Tiger. McNeil continued his service in the Air Force Reserve, achieving the rank of major general before retiring in 2000 after 37 years of service and over 6,600 flight hours. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

In his civilian career, McNeil held various positions in both the private and public sectors. He worked in computer sales for IBM, served as a commercial banker for Bankers Trust in New York City, and was a stockbroker for E.F. Hutton in Fayetteville, North Carolina. McNeil also dedicated over 15 years to the Federal Aviation Administration, retiring in 2002 as the manager of the New York Flight Standards District Office.

McNeil's contributions have been widely recognized. He received honorary doctorates from North Carolina A&T State University, St. John's University, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and Molloy College. In 2010, he was awarded the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal by the Smithsonian Institution. A monument in Greensboro and an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution commemorate the actions of the Greensboro Four.

Joseph McNeil was married to Ina McNeil (née Brown), an accomplished Indigenous quilt maker of Lakota descent and the great-great-granddaughter of Chief Sitting Bull. The couple met while McNeil was stationed in South Dakota and married in 1967. Together, they had five children.

McNeil's passing leaves Jibreel Khazan as the sole surviving member of the Greensboro Four. Their courageous actions in 1960 not only challenged systemic racism but also inspired a generation to engage in nonviolent protest, leading to significant societal change. The sit-ins demonstrated the effectiveness of grassroots activism and set a precedent for future social justice movements. McNeil's life serves as a testament to the enduring impact of individual and collective action in the pursuit of equality and justice.