The Ultimate Price of Valor

I find it fascinating that many of the pilots who gave so much to serve our country during WW II, Korea, and Vietnam, were inspired by those early barnstormers and World War I pilots who were flying early, rickety aircraft. Yet, time and time again, I find so many young men who are inspired by their fathers or fall in love with aviation at an early age. As the years went on, many decided to follow in the footsteps of those early aviation pioneers.

 

When World War I erupted in Europe, the United States stayed out of it, but German submarines were sinking American merchant ships, and when an intercepted telegram from Germany to Mexico proposed an alliance between Germany and Meixco. The proposal was for them to fight the United States and allow Mexico to regain possession Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. The public release of this telegram enraged Americans, and it moved public opion to support entering the war in Europe.

 

At the time, the U.S. Army only had 35 pilots, all of whom were flying for the Signal Corps. So, the U.S. began an intensive program to recruit and train more pilots and support personnel. The U.S. Army Air Force was formed, and the first American Army officer to fly over German lines in WWI was none other than Maj. William H. "Billy" Mitchell. By February of 1918, the first U.S. aviation squadron entered combat, manned mainly by American pilots who had earlier volunteered to fly with the French air force.

 

A World War I American pilot standing by his aircraft.

 

Most of the pilots flew French aircraft, and the U.S. needed to increase the production of airplanes. On May 24, 1918, the Air Service of the U.S. Army was formed. Despite all of the challenges, American pilots steadily improved, and by the end of the war 71 American pilots had shot down at least 5 enemy aircraft each, enabling each of them to earn "Ace" status. However, the training of American pilots was hazardous, and twice as many recruits died as opposed to the number of deaths of combat pilots. 

 

One of those early U.S. Signal Corps pilots was a young man from Virginia by the name of William Atkinson Jones, Jr. He was married to Elizabeth Goodwin Hart Jones, and they lived in Warsaw, Virginia. Jones was an attorney, and his wife was a school teacher. The legacy Jones family had lived in Warsaw, VA since the 1840s.

 

On a spectacular day on May 31, 1922, in Norfolk, Virginia, William Atkinson Jones Jr, his wife Elizabeth, and his grandfather, William Jones (a U.S. representative who authored the bill granting independence to the Philippines), welcomed a young man they named William Atkinson Jones III, into the world at a hospital in Norfolk, VA. 

 

Unfortunately, in 1929, young Jones III learned that his father and mother had decided to divorce. He was only 7 years old, and as was common in those days, his mother retained custody, and she moved the two of them to Charlottesville, VA. Apparently, young Jones III was a bright young lad, loved sports, and excelled in his studies as he grew up.

 

Young Jones III came from a privileged family, and because of that, Jones felt drawn to a life of service and discipline. Growing up, he attended Lane High School in Charlottesville, North Carolina. While attending Lane High School Jones, through discipline and a strong work ethic, became a member of the literary society, played both varsity basketball and football, and upon early graduation enrolled in the University of Virginia. The University was also located in Charlottesville. 

 

While at the University of Virginia, Jones III was very active, both academically and in sports. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree, and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ) fraternity. During his time at the University of Virginia he was the captain of the university's fencing team, among other things. At the age of 19, in 1942, Jones III graduated from the university with his Bachelor of Arts degree.

 

Even though he had already graduated from college, William Atkinson Jones III applied to, and was, appointed a cadet at the United States Military Academy, in West Point, New York state. He started his military career at West Point on July 1942. By this time World War II was well underway, and his appointment was to the class of 1945. At the academy "Bill," his moniker now firmly in place, continued his love of fencing as a member of the Army Fencing Squad. 

 

On June 5, 1945, Bill Jones graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, received his commission as a second lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps. Graduation was followed by a series of pilot training programs in Oklahoma, New York, and Arizona. During these years Jones witnessed firsthand the sacrifices that were required of those who were called to serve and wear the uniform of a U.S. soldier.

 

Upon completion of his pilot training, Lt. Jones was sent to fly as a fighter pilot in the Philippine Islands from 1946 through 1948. This was followed by an assignment at Biggs Army Airfield, in Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. In 1947 the USAF (United States Air Force) was created, and Jones became an Air Force pilot during his time in the Philippines. By now his love of aviation and flying had taken root in this talented young man.

 

Of course, one of the other things that tugged at a young man's heart, was the desire to find a wife and have children. So, love found young Lt. Bill Jones and the lovely Miss Lois Marie McGregor of Bisbee, Arizona. Courting completed, Air Force pilot Bill Jones found himself, on October 20, 1948, in front of the Reverand John L. Howard, who pronounced Bill and Lois husband and wife. Over the ensuing years Bill and Lois gave birth to three beautiful daughters named Anne, Elizabeth, and Mary Lee.

 

In 1952 Jones was stationed at the Rhein Main Air Base, Fedral Republic of Germany, where he flew the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar. He was assigned to the 317th Troop Carrier Wing, and he remained at this post for the next 4 years.

 

A fleet of Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars of the 40th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Wing, Germany, circa early 1950s. The airplane in the foreground is C-119C-17-FA 49-199. (317th Veterans Group).

 

This was followed by training to become an aircraft commander of the new Boeing B-47E Stratojet bomber.  

 

Lockheed-Marietta B-47E-50-LM Stratojet 52-3363. (U.S. Air Force)

 

Jones had found his calling in life, and dedicated himself to the life of a United States Air Force Officer. Jones' early years in the Air Force had molded him into a skilled and tenacious pilot. Flying had become a large part of his life, and by the time September 1st, 1968, rolled around, Bill Jones found himself a Major after serving various roles in the Air Force, including attending the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama, between 1965 and 1966. There he earned a Masters Degree in International Affairs. But, by now the conflict in Vietnam was underway, and so Maj. Jones III asked to be transferred to the Douglas A-1 Skyraider training course at Hurlbert Field in Florida.

 

This was also the home of the USAF 602 Special Operations Squadron, and where Major Jones would undergo training in the Douglas A-1E Skyraider. After completing his training in the A-1E Skyraider, Lt. Col. William Atkinson Jones III was named the commanding officer of the 602nd Speciaol Operations Squadron based at the Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Naval Base in Thailand.

 

Hurlburt Field Skyraider Class 68–07. Major William Atkinson Jones II is in the front row, just to the right of center.

 

The Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base (NKP) was just 75 miles from North Vietnam, somewhat north of Vietnam's De-Militarized Zone (DMZ), at the 17th parallel. The air commandos, who flew rescue missions for downed airmen in North Vietnam, were A-1H Skyraider pilots. Below is a photograph of Lt. Col. Jones sitting in the cockpit of his propeller-driven A-1H Skyraider at NKP field.

Lt Colonel William A. Jones III, USAF, in the cockpit of of a Douglas A-1H Skyraider, 1968.

 

September 1, 1968

 

On this day, Capt. Jack Wilson, the  pilot of an F-4 Phantom jet, was shot down near the city of Dong Hoi in North Vietnam. Wilson ejected from his damaged aircraft and parachuted into an area very close to a heavily defended enemy supply road. The call went out to the 602nd for a rescue mission, and shortly thereafter Lt. Col. Jones led a flight of four A-1H Skyraiders on a mission to protect the rescue helicopters and protect the downed pilot.

 

As Jones reached the search area, he conducted a number of low passes over the ground in search of the downed pilot. Jone's aircraft was repeatedly hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire. One of the hits filled his cockpit with smoke, but Jones, undeterred, continued his search for the downed pilot.

 

Soon, Jones located Wilson near a tall giant rock formation. Rescuers, however, could not get to him because the enemy gunners at the top of the rock formation continued to fire at Jones, and Jones could not fire back for fear of hitting Wilson at the bottom of the rock formation. Another crew advised Wilson to change his location, and once he confirmed he had done so, Jones came back and fired cannon bullets and rockets at the enemy gunners.

 

On Jones' second pass the enemy anti-aircraft fire manged to hit his aircraft several times, including one round which hit the ejection seat mechanism right behind Jones' headrest. That ignited the system's rocket which was used to propel the pilot upwards. Soon, flames erupted and engulfed the cockpit in flames. In an effort to survive, Jones set off the system to jettison the aircraft's canopy. The initial influx of fresh air made the fire burn more intensely for a few moments, but the rocket motor, which had already been burned up, did not send Col. Jones out of the aircraft.

 

But, the sturdy A-1H Skyraider continued to fly. Jones tried to advise the others where Wilson was, but his radio transmissions were blocked by the other Skyraider pilots yelling for Jones to bail out, something he could not do. Soon Jone's radios were inoperable, and suffering with searing pain, Jones decided to head back to home base so that he could pass on the information as to Wilson's location.

 

Forty minutes later he landed his damaged aircraft, but he refused medical help until he was able to tell them where the downed pilot Wilson was at. Jones was then treated and next transferred to Japan, and then on to the Brooks Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he received extensive treatment for his burns.

 

The burned out cockpit of Lt. Col. Jones III A-1 Skyraider on Sept 1, 1968.

 

Upon Jones' full recovery he requested to be returned to complete his combat tour, but that was not to be. He was allowed to return to flight status, however, and he was transferred to command of the 1st Flying Training Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. In 1969 he was promoted to full colonel.

 

A Sad Ending

 

Col. Jones owned a private aircraft, a single engine Piper Pacer, which was a 4 place light aircraft. The registration number of the aircraft was N7015K, and it was based at Woodbridge Airport (W22), a small uncontrolled airport approximately 12 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.

 

A picture of a Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer, similar to the one owned by Col. Jones.

 

On November 15, 1969, Jones took off from the Woodbridge Airport and immediately encountered a problem with his airplane. He radioed that he was returning to the airport, however, the airplane was observed in a left turn and nose down attitude. Sadly, it crashed off the airport, caught fire, and Col. Jones suffered third degree burns over his entire body causing him to die immediately.

 

Col. Jones had accumulated a total of 7,748 hours of flying time, and had received numerous awards and decorations including:

• Medal of Honor
• Purple Heart
• Air Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Bronze Star with four oak leaf clusters
• Vietnam Service Medal with bronze campaign star
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

 

Colonel William A. Jones III exemplified the essence of heroism. His actions in the face of mortal danger, his refusal to abandon a fellow warrior, and his unwavering commitment to duty set him apart as one of the greatest aviators in U.S. Air Force history.

 

Jones also authored a book, Maxims for Men-at-Arms, which offered insights into the principals of duty and duty, both of which guided his life. He was laid to rest in the Saint Johns Episcopal Church Cemetery in Warsaw, Virginia.

 

Medal of Honor

JONES, WILLIAM A., III

Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Air Force, 602d Special Operations Squadron, Nakon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand

Place and date: Near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, 1 September 1968

Entered service at: Charlottesville, Virginia

Born: 31 May 1922, Norfolk, Virginia

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Col Jones distinguished himself as the pilot of an A-1H Skyraider aircraft near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. On that day, as the on-scene commander in the attempted rescue of a downed U.S. pilot, Col. Jones aircraft was repeatedly hit by heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire. On 1 of his low passes, Col. Jones felt an explosion beneath his aircraft and his cockpit rapidly filled with smoke. With complete disregard of the possibility that his aircraft might still be burning, he unhesitatingly continued his search for the downed pilot. On this pass, he sighted the survivor and a multiple-barrel gun position firing at him from near the top of a karst formation. He could not attack the gun position on that pass for fear he would endanger the downed pilot. Leaving himself exposed to the gun position, Col. Jones attacked the position with cannon and rocket fire on 2 successive passes. On his second pass, the aircraft was hit with multiple rounds of automatic weapons fire. One round impacted the Yankee Extraction System rocket mounted directly behind the headrest, igniting the rocket. His aircraft was observed to burst into flames in the center fuselage section, with flame engulfing the cockpit area. He pulled the extraction handle, jettisoning the canopy. The influx of fresh air made the fire burn with greater intensity for a few moments, but since the rocket motor had already burned, the extraction system did not pull Col. Jones from the aircraft. Despite searing pains from severe burns sustained on his arms, hand, neck, shoulders, and face, Col. Jones pulled his aircraft into a climb and attempted to transmit the location of the downed pilot and the enemy gun position to the other aircraft in the area. His calls were blocked by other aircraft transmissions repeatedly directing him to bail out and within seconds his transmitters were disabled and he could receive only on 1 channel. Completely disregarding his injuries, he elected to fly his crippled aircraft back to his base and pass on essential information for the rescue rather than bail out. Col. Jones successfully landed his heavily damaged aircraft and passed the information to a debriefing officer while on the operating table. As a result of his heroic actions and complete disregard for his personal safety, the downed pilot was rescued later in the day. Col. Jones’ profound concern for his fellow man at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of this country.

 

President Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to Colonel Jones widow at a ceremony at the White House on August 6, 1970. At the award ceremony, Colonel Jones' youngest daughter gave a copy of her father's book to the President.

 

I hope you enjoyed this trip through some of the history of sunglasses. If you enjoyed this trip, and if you are new to this blog, sign up to receive your own weekly blog post here: Subscribe here!

Until next time, keep your eyes safe and focused on what's ahead of you, Hersch!