The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class Aaron B. Jones (ASN: 34357606), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. On D-Day, Private First Class Jones voluntarily moved far in advance of his unit, under intense enemy fire and across uncharted minefields, and placed accurate rifle fire on a hostile emplacement to cover the approach of his company. When an enemy counterattack in superior numbers threatened the unit, Private First Class Jones courageously crossed several hundred yards of open terrain alone and fired into the flanks of the hostile force. From this dangerous position, he harassed the enemy with rifle fire for a period of five hours and heroically resisted all efforts to dislodge him until the counterattack was repulsed. By his display of personal bravery and indomitable fighting spirit, Private First Class Jones acted in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.