Julius Long was born on July 12, 1944, in Pulaski, Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 4, 1967, and completed Basic Training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in July 1967, and Advanced Individual Training as an Infantryman at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in September 1967. SP4 Long then deployed to Southeast Asia where he served as an Ammo Bearer and Scout Observer with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade from October 1967 until he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam on May 12, 1968. After spending 1,770 days in captivity, SSG Long was released during Operation Homecoming on March 16, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and then served as a Military Policeman with the 515th Military Police Company at Fort Lee, Virginia, from August 1973 until he left active duty on February 26, 1974. Julius Long died on July 17, 2009, and was buried at Huffed Cemetery in Pulaski, Virginia.

His 1st (of 2) Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

Staff Sergeant (then Specialist Four) Julius W. Long, Jr., is awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Long distinguished himself by rendering exceptionally valorous action while serving as a senior scout observer in the reconnaissance platoon of Company E. His unit was reinforcing the Kham Duc Special Forces Camp, Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 0300 hours the observation post which Sergeant Long was on came under an intensive ground attack by a North Vietnamese Army Force of undetermined size. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Long exposed himself to the intense hostile fire and was instrumental in momentarily stopping the enemy. Due to the intensity of the attack, several members of the squad were wounded. Immediately, Sergeant Long rendered first aid and words of encouragement to the wounded men. Hopelessly outnumbered, the order was given to evacuate the observation post. While breaking out of the small perimeter Sergeant Long was wounded by intense enemy fire. Sergeant Long's performance of duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.