David M. Jones, 0-22482, Major General
Pilot Crew 5
Graduated Tucson High School, Tucson, Arizona, 1932; graduated University of Arizona, 1936 and commissioned as Second Lieutenant, Cavalry. Enlisted in National Guard, June, 1932. Was on active duty as Second Lieutenant with 8th Cavalry for one year then began pilot training in June, 1937. Gained rating as pilot in June, 1938 and served with 17th Bomb Group at March and McChord Fields. After Tokyo Raid, served in North Africa and was shot down over Bizerte on December 4, 1942. Spent 2-1/2 years as POW in Stalag Luft III. Has graduated from Command and General Staff School, Armed Forces Staff College, and National War College. Has had varied operational assignments since World War II as bases in Louisiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Ohio. Served overseas as 47th Bomb Wing Commander at Sculthorpe, England. Decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Purple Heart, Commendation Ribbon, and the Chinese Order of Yung Hui, 5th Class.
From Wikipedia:
David M. Jones (December 18, 1913–November 25, 2008) was a United States Air Force pilot who served with distinction during World War II. He was one of the Doolittle Raiders whose exploits in April 1942 were dramatized in the film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. He then flew combat missions over North Africa, where he was shot down. He was a German prisoner of war for two and a half years — helping with the escape attempt described in the book Great Escape, which was later the subject of a Hollywood film. In his last assignment with the Air Force, Jones was the commander of the Air Force Eastern Test Range in Cape Kennedy, Florida as well as the Department of Defense Manager for Manned Space Flight Support Operations. He retired from the Air Force after 37 years of distinguished service.
Born December 18, 1913, Marshfield, Oregon
Died November 25th, 2008, Tucson, Arizona
Inducted Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
And for you history buffs, YOUTUBE has a 3-part mini documentary of him of which he said "From horses to Mach 2, to be privileged to live in that period, pretty damn good.":
Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvJD3HUDYj4&NR=1
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Hf1rKkgus&NR=1
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-H4fJsP5eg&NR=1
This is the first of three emails of images from Uncle Davy’s [Air Force Maj. Gen. David M. Jones] funeral on Friday at Arlington Cemetery, the military handles these events with such respect, it really was a beautiful service.
This first set of images was from the transfer to the horse carriage [there is a proper name, but I forget]… there was an Air Force band that played the Air Force song as well as a B1 bomber flyover. Because of his rank and history, he was honored with a full and wonderful service.
Some of you aren’t aware of this, but Uncle Davy was quite the hero. [see below]. One of his son’s told us that one of Davy’s favorite sayings was NBD…. “No Big Deal”. I am sure after crashing in China and being a POW in a German Camp, everything else in live was indeed, No Big Deal. - Wendy Jones
This second set of images consists of images from the folding of the flag part of the funeral. It was during this time, there was a 21-gun salute, taps played and they closed his rank. FYI – Closing a rank means they roll up a flag that has rank on it [2 stars], roll it up and then cover it with a sleeve. The folding of the flag is very intense as it has to be perfect, it was inspected several times before being given to Aunt JannaNeen.
The last image of this PDF consists of several bikers. Towards the end of the service I stood near them [in the shade] and thanked them for coming. I asked if they go to all of the funerals at Arlington. The man replied, no, they try to come to the services of those who were POWs. Some of the bikers were former POWs from Vietnam and as Davy was a POW during WW2, they came as a show of respect.
This last set of images was take from the Columbarium. This is sort of like an outdoor vault. Most of the dates I noted were from WW2. The fourth image has Aunt JannaNeen holding the flag and the gentleman on the far right with the badge on his jacket is one of the last of the Doolittle Raiders, Dick Cole.
Sadly, the last 2 images are of another funeral taking place. There are about 24-30 funerals per day. Most of which are those honorable men and women who are killed in the Middle East. One of the reasons it took 6 months after Davy’s passing to have the service is because those that die in the Middle East have a higher priority, then comes the others who are currently serving in another capacity or have retired.
