Briefing Document: James Oliver Jones, Jr.

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Life and Military Service of James Oliver Jones, Jr.

Purpose: To provide a concise overview of the key biographical details and military service of James Oliver Jones, Jr. based on the provided text.

Summary:

This document outlines the life and military service of James Oliver Jones, Jr., who was born in Texas in 1919 and served as a B-17 waist gunner in the US Army Air Forces during World War II. His life tragically ended when his plane was lost at sea in 1943.

Key Biographical Details:

Birth and Family: James Oliver Jones, Jr. was born on March 9, 1919, in Sipe Springs, Comanche County, Texas. His parents were Katie Dodd (b. 1882) and James Oliver Jones (b. 1877).

Early Life:In 1930, at the age of 11, he lived with his parents, two brothers, and five sisters in Comanche County, Texas.

In 1935, he still resided in Sipe Springs, Comanche County.

By 1940, at age 21, he was living in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, working as a service station attendant while living with Mrs. Ira Dorton and her sons.

Education: He had two years of college education prior to enlisting in the military.

Military Service:

Draft Registration: Registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, in Abilene, Texas, while unemployed. He listed his brother, Mr. Orus Jones, of Abilene, as his next of kin.

Enlistment: Enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in Dallas, Texas, on November 10, 1941, from civilian life and was working as a baggage porter, with an Army Service Number (ASN) of 18065443.

Overseas Deployment: Shipped overseas in September 1942 as a Second Lieutenant and B-17 pilot,

Unit and Role: Served as a First Lieutenant, 367th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), as a waist gunner aboard a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress (s/n 41-24469).

Combat Mission: On January 3, 1943, participated in a combat bombing mission to St. Nazaire, France, targeting German U-Boat yards. The flight originated from Thurleigh Airfield, England.

Incident: On their return flight, the plane was forced to land at St. Eval, Wadebridge, Cornwall, England, due to weather. They remained grounded for several days due to inclement weather.

Disappearance: After taking off again on January 7, 1943, to return to Thurleigh, they were again forced to land again in St. Eval. The B-17 pilot attempted to land, overshot the runway, and attempted another landing approach. The plane and crew were then lost over the Celtic Sea off St. Eval. The text states: "They were never seen or heard of again."

Search and Loss: A large-scale sea search, which included the loss of two RAF planes, was conducted, but no trace of the plane or crew was found.

Memorialization: 1Lt. Jones is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-James, France.

Key Quotes:

"James O. Jones, Jr. asn-18065443 a single white male born Texas in 1919 residing in Comanche County, Texas working as a baggage porter with two years of college education enlisted from civilian life into the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet at Dallas, Texas on 10 November 1941."

"After making the bomb run on the return flight the plane was forced to land due to weather at the RAF station at St. Eval, Wadebridge, Cornwall, England. They were weathered in for days but took off again on 7 January 1943 to return to Thurleigh but the weather closed in and Lt. Brandon, the B-17 pilot, was forced to return to Saint Eval."

"They were never seen or heard of again."

Conclusion:

James Oliver Jones, Jr.’s life was cut short by tragedy while serving his country during World War II. The information provided offers a glimpse into his life journey, from a Texan upbringing to his military service as a member of a B-17 crew and finally to his ultimate sacrifice. His story serves as a reminder of the many lives lost during the war and the enduring legacy of the men and women who served.