The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Gerald Allen Jones (AFSN: FV-3037665), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy as a Rescue Crew Commander in Southeast Asia on 9 November 1968. On that date, Major Jones piloted the HH-53B helicopter which successfully recovered a United States Air Force pilot shot down over heavily-fortified hostile territory. The injured pilot was in an open area surrounded by unfriendly forces. To reach the survivor’s position, Major Jones had to fly over active hostile fire sites. Disregarding his own personal safety, Major Jones successfully recovered the downed pilot, in spite of ground fire which struck his aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Jones has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.