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Jay Jaynes graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1942. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    485th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 10, 1944

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    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) Jay Jaynes (ASN: 0-24813), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Navigator of a B-24 airplane of the 485th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, on 10 May 1941. Captain Jaynes led a group on a bombing mission against important and heavily defended enemy aircraft factories in Austria. He displayed outstanding professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty. Together with his splendid combat record, Captain Jaynes has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    1944 – 1945

    Captain (Air Corps) Jay Jaynes (ASN: 0-24813), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down in August or September of 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    485th Bombardment Group

    Division:

    15th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 27, 1944

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Jay Jaynes (ASN: 0-24813), 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 while serving as Navigator of a B-24 airplane of the 485th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, on 27 August 1944. Captain Jaynes led his formation to its target, a synthetic oil refinery in Germany.