West Freemason in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
William A. Jones
Colonel, U.S. Air Force
— Norfolk Trail of Honor —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022
1. William A. Jones Marker
Inscription.
William A. Jones. Colonel, U.S. Air Force. COL Jones, born in Norfolk, joined the Air Force after graduating from West Point. An A-1E Skyraider pilot, he risked his life and earned the Medal of Honor in an attempted rescue mission near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. On September 1, 1968, then LT COL Jones led a flight of four aircraft accompanying two helicopters sent out to rescue the pilot of a downed F-4 Phantom. Enemy gunners opened fire on the propeller-driven Skyraider. COL Jones attacked with cannon and rocket fire while relaying the downed pilot’s location by radio. While making his second pass, his aircraft was hit and the cockpit set ablaze. At the same time , his transmissions to the rescue force were being blocked by calls from other aircraft that he bail out. COL Jones was badly burned and his radio transmitters were disabled. Despite his severe burns, he landed his aircraft and passed on vital information before receiving treatment.
COL Jones, born in Norfolk, joined the Air Force after graduating from West Point. An A-1E Skyraider pilot, he risked his life and earned the Medal of Honor in an attempted rescue mission near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. On September 1, 1968, then LT COL Jones led a flight of four aircraft accompanying two helicopters sent out to rescue the pilot of a downed F-4 Phantom. Enemy gunners opened fire on the propeller-driven Skyraider. COL Jones attacked with cannon and rocket fire while relaying the downed pilot’s location by radio. While making his second pass, his aircraft was hit and the cockpit set ablaze. At the same time , his transmissions to the rescue force were being blocked by calls from other aircraft that he bail out. COL Jones was badly burned and his radio transmitters were disabled. Despite his severe burns, he landed his aircraft and passed on vital information before receiving treatment.
Erected 2015 by City of Norfolk.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 1, 1968.
Location. 36° 50.937′ N, 76° 17.671′
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W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. Marker can be reached from Boush Street, 0.2 miles south of Brooke Avenue. Marker located just north of Wisconsin Square and south of the Pagoda and Oriental Garden. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. Colonel William Atkinson Jones. (Submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.) 2. Norfolk Trail of Honor. (Submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022
2. William A. Jones Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
