Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
David
M.
Jones
POW (WWII)
December 18, 1913

–

November 25, 2008

Born:

Coos Bay

, 

Oregon

Home:

Marshfield

, 

Oregon

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

During World War II, David Jones participated in the famous Doolittle Raid and was the Pilot on the third B-25 to take off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet on April 18, 1942, and after bombing Tokyo the crew bailed out over China when their aircraft ran out of fuel. He was assigned as Commander of the 319th Bomb Group in North Africa in September 1942 and was shot down and taken as a Prisoner of War by Germany on December 4, 1942, and was held until his release in April 1945. He retired in 1973 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Doolittle Tokyo Raider Force

    Action Date:

    April 18, 1942

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) David M. Jones (ASN: 0-22482), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Captain Jones with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    December 4, 1942 – April 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 15697

    Major (Air Corps) David M. Jones (ASN: 0-22482), United States Army Air Forces, was shot down over Bizerte, North Africa, on 4 December 1942. Captured by German forces, he was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in April 1945.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1967 – April 30, 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General David M. Jones (ASN: 0-22482), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, Air Force Eastern Test Range and Department of Defense Manager for Manned Space Flight Support Operations, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, from 4 May 1967 to 30 April 1973. In this important assignment, the forceful leadership, and the outstanding and dedicated efforts of General Jones were significantly displayed in his strong grasp and exestuation of complex technical operations essential to successful conduct of Air Force space flight launches, Air Force and Navy strategic missile testing, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration manned and unmanned space exploration. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Jones culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General David M. Jones (ASN: 0-22482), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Jones and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) David M. Jones (ASN: 0-22482), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.