Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Commander Claud Ashton Jones, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a senior engineer officer on board the U.S.S. MEMPHIS, at a time when the vessel was suffering total destruction from a hurricane while anchored off Santo Domingo City, 29 August 1916. Lieutenant Jones did everything possible to get the engines and boilers ready, and if the elements that burst upon the vessel had delayed for a few minutes, the engines would have saved the vessel. With boilers and steam pipes bursting about him in clouds of scalding steam, with thousands of tons of water coming down upon him and in almost complete darkness, Lieutenant Jones nobly remained at his post as long as the engines would turn over, exhibiting the most supreme unselfish heroism which inspired the officers and men who were with him. When the boilers exploded, Lieutenant Jones, accompanied by two of his shipmates, rushed into the firerooms and drove the men there out, dragging some, carrying others to the engineroom, where there was air to be breathed instead of steam. Lieutenant Jones’ action on this occasion was above and beyond the call of duty.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    June 1940 – 1944

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 332 (November 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Claud Ashton Jones, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while associated with the Navy war production program from its inception in June 1940 to 1944. Admiral Jones launched and expedited production in the greatest naval shipbuilding project in the nation’s history. Challenged by many difficult organizational problems, he made his decisions with courage and followed them through with sound business judgment.