John H. Jones

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to John H. Jones (RA33721420), Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Heavy Tank Company, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. On 30 January 1951, in the vicinity of Wonch’on-ni, Korea, at approximately 1030 hours, the Heavy Tank Company was assaulting an enemy road block with twenty-seven supporting Infantry troops. Sergeant Jones, a tank commander, moved his tank to a forward position one hundred yards beyond a heavily wooded bend in the road to neutralize enemy fire coming from the north and from the west. Four Infantrymen advancing with Sergeant Jones’ tank were taken under terrific fire from the two positions. One man was immediately killed. The enemy allowed the other three Infantrymen to group together in an attempt to recover the body of the dead soldier and his weapon, but then commenced firing with machine guns, rifles, and mortars. Sergeant Jones faced his tank to the west and ordered his crew to fire on enemy fortifications in that direction. He in complete disregard for his own personal safety, climbed outside of his tank and standing exposed to the enemy commenced firing with his heavy machine gun. He stood exposed in this position for more than ten minutes while receiving a terrific amount of small arms fire over the turret of his tank. The machine gun he was firing was hit several times, the ammunition box destroyed, and baggage fastened to the turret of the tank was riddled by enemy bullets. He remained in his position until the three Infantrymen withdrew to a safe position with the body and weapon of their fallen comrade. Sergeant Jones’ display of skill and courage reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to John H. Jones (2152507), Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on August 16, 1967. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Sergeant Jones upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.