- David C. Jones
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David Charles Jones
General David C. Jones, USAF (Ret.)Born July 9, 1921
Aberdeen, South DakotaAllegiance United States of America Service/branch U.S. Air Force Years of service 1943–1982 Rank General Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Federal Republic of Germany Merit Cross of the Federal Republic (Order of Merit)David Charles Jones (born July 9, 1921) is a retired U.S. Air Force general and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Jones was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota and raised in Minot, North Dakota, where he graduated from Minot High School.
Jones graduated from Roswell flying school in New Mexico in 1943 and the National War College in 1960. He also attended the University of North Dakota, University of Nebraska, Louisiana Tech University, Minot State Teacher's College, Boston University, and Troy University.
In 1943 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces. During the Korean War, Jones commanded the 19th Bombardment Squadron, flying B-29 Superfortresss out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.[1] Following Korea, he commanded the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron and later the 33rd Bombardment Squadron, both at March Air Force Base, CA. After squadron command, he was transferred to the Strategic Air Command (SAC), where he worked in the Bomber Mission Branch before becoming aide to CINCSAC, General Curtis LeMay. He advanced through the ranks and was promoted to the rank of general in 1971. Jones was deputy Commander of operations in Vietnam, vice commander of the 7th Air Force, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), and commander 4th Allied Tactical Air Force. From 1974 to 1978, he served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. In 1978, he was elevated to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving until his retirement from military service in 1982.
He has been decorated with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star.
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
- Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Bronze Star
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Jones is a member of the Air Force Association, the Falcon Foundation, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Alfalfa Club, the Bohemian Club and the Family.[2]
References
- ^ Joint History Office (2000), The Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 1949-1999 ISBN 0-16-050638-7
- ^ Jeff Sharlet, The Family (Harper, 2008), p. 281
External links
- Air Force history - official site - 1970-80
Military offices Preceded by
Gen. George S. BrownChief of Staff of the United States Air Force
1974–78Succeeded by
Gen. Lew Allen Jr.Preceded by
Gen. George S. BrownChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1978–82Succeeded by
Gen. John William Vessey Jr.Categories:- Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Chiefs of Staff of the United States Air Force
- Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- American military personnel of the Korean War
- Boston University alumni
- Louisiana Tech University alumni
- Minot State University alumni
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the National Order of Vietnam
- People from Minot, North Dakota
- People from Aberdeen, South Dakota
- Troy University alumni
- University of North Dakota alumni
- University of Nebraska alumni
- 1921 births
- Living people
- United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II
- United States Army Air Forces officers
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