Briefing Document: Manteu Porter Jones

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Biographical Information of Manteu Porter Jones

Sources: Excerpt from "Pasted Text" (Provided by User)

Summary:

This document summarizes the key life events of Manteu Porter Jones, primarily sourced from the provided text excerpt. The information spans his birth, family life, education, employment, military service, and tragic death. The document is presented chronologically for clarity.

Key Findings:

Birth and Family:

Manteu Porter Jones was born on November 25, 1920, in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

His parents were Grace Jewel Byrd (born 1897, died 1992) and Charley Porter Jones (born 1893, died 1989).

His mother was 23 and father was 26 at the time of his birth.

Early Life and Education:

The 1930 census records him (listed as "Manten Janes") at age 9, living with his parents and siblings in JP1, Brown County, Texas.

He lived in rural Brown County, Texas in 1935, according to the 1940 census.

By 1940, at age 19, he was living with his family at upper Brady Street, Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

He had four years of high school education according to his military records.

Employment and Move to California:

By 1942, Manteu had moved to Glendale, California, where he worked for the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation.

He was working as an airplane mechanic.

Military Service:

He registered for the WW2 draft on February 14, 1942, and listed his father as next of kin.

He enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Forces at Los Angeles, California, on September 17, 1942.

His service number was 19128546.

He was identified as "a single white male born 1920 in Texas."

He became a Sergeant and served as a flight crew chief in the 3036th Yuma Army Air Field Base Unit.

His unit used Lockheed/Vega B-17G-20-VE Fortress s/n 42-97619 aircraft.

He was involved in a night navigation flight on June 28, 1944.

Death:

Sergeant Manteu P. Jones died on June 28, 1944, when his B-17G crashed into Gila Mountain, 10 miles east of Yuma Field, Arizona.

The crash resulted from the pilot hitting the side of the mountain.

The aircraft "crashed and burned."

Four other airmen died in the crash as well.

His official status was "Died Non-Battle."

His remains were shipped back to Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

He was interred in the Cedar Point Cemetery.

Quotes from Original Source:

"Manteu Porter Jones born 25 November 1920 in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas to Grace Jewel Byrd(b.1897 Texas-d.1992 San Angelo, Texas) Age 23 and Charley Porter Jones(b.1893 San Marcos, Texas-d.1989 Brownwood, Texas) Age 26."

"Manteu P. Jones asn-19128546 a single white male born 1920 in Texas residing in Los Angeles County, California working as an airplane mechanic with four years of high school education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Forces at Los Angeles, California on 17 September 1942."

"Sergeant Manteu P. Jones 19128546 US Army Air Forces 3036th Yuma Army Air Field Base Unit flight crew chief aboard Lockheed/Vega B-17G-20-VE Fortress s/n 42-97619 on night navigation flight 28 June 1944 and the pilot hit the side of Gila mountain 10 miles east of Yuma Field, Arizona and crashed and burned."

Conclusion:

Manteu Porter Jones' life was marked by significant transitions, from his early years in rural Texas to his employment in the burgeoning aircraft industry in California and his subsequent military service. His story concludes with his tragic death in a plane crash during a night navigation training flight, highlighting the dangers faced by airmen during World War II. His life, though cut short, represents a snapshot of many young Americans during this era.