Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones, III

602nd Special Operations Squadron

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

1. Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones, III Marker

Inscription. Lieutenant Colonel Jones flew an A-1H Skyraider on a rescue mission on 1 September 1968 in search of a downed U.S. pilot near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. Although his aircraft was hit repeatedly by enemy fire, he continued his search until he sighted the survivor. Disregarding his own safety, Colonel Jones then attacked a nearby enemy position. His aircraft was again hit, destroying the pilot's ejection system and causing the cockpit to burst into flames. Colonel Jones attempted to transmit the location of the survivor, but his calls were blocked by friendly transmissions urging him to bail out. Despite intense pain from multiple burns, he elected to fly his damaged aircraft back to base, where, on the operating table, he reported the survivor's position. As a result, the downed pilot was rescued later in the day. Colonel Jones was killed in an aircraft accident before the medal could be presented. However, President Nixon presented the Air Force Medal of Honor to his widow on 6 August 1970.

Erected by the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park Council.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Heroes • War, Vietnam

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. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #37 Richard M. Nixon, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 6, 1970.

Location. 30° 24.822′ N, 86° 42.039′ W. Marker is in Hurlburt Field, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Marker can be reached from Oneal Avenue. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Major Bernard Francis Fisher (here, next to this marker); A-1E Skyraider (here, next to this marker); Medal of Honor Recipients (a few steps from this marker); MC-130P Combat Shadow (within shouting distance of this marker); HH-3E "Jolly Green Giant" (within shouting distance of this marker); A-26 Counter-Invader (within shouting distance of this marker); Operation Ranch Hand Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Operation Kingpin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hurlburt Field.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones. (Submitted on November 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Marker and A-1E Skyraider of the type flown by Colonel Jones. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

2. Marker and A-1E Skyraider of the type flown by Colonel Jones.

Marker is the one second from left.

Marker and A-1E Skyraider aircraft. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

3. Marker and A-1E Skyraider aircraft.

Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones, III image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

4. Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones, III

Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones, III Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, February 21, 2001

5. Lieutenant Colonel William Atkinson Jones, III Grave Marker

He is buried in St John's Church Cemetery, Warsaw, VA. The grave GPS coordinates are N37.9581 W76.7554.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 369 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on November 20, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.