- SURNAME
Jones
- FORENAME
Joseph John
- UNIT
1 Recon Bn (B Company) (1 MarDiv)
- RANK
Sergeant
- NUMBER
2147920
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1968
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/jones-joseph-john.44911/CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Joseph John Jones (MCSN: 2147920), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 June 1968, Sergeant Jones was patrol leader of a sixteen-man patrol assigned to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations from an observation post on Hill 344 in Quang Nam Province. During the night and early morning hours of 24 and 26 June, his unit's defensive perimeter came under repeated attacks by numerically superior enemy forces. Throughout each attack, Sergeant Jones skillfully deployed his men, directed their fire and effectively employed claymore mines, artillery and air strikes to repulse the attackers. When the observation posts came under attack by over 190 hostile soldiers on the night of 28 June, Sergeant Jones completely disregarded his own safety and boldly stood up in the center of the perimeter utilizing a strobe light and a radio to direct the fire of supporting armed helicopters. As the enemy breached the protective wire with satchel charges and thermite grenades, he quickly rallied his men and directed supporting fire to within ten meters of his position. Continuing his determined efforts, he effectively utilized illumination flares and machine gun fire of additional supporting aircraft around his position and requested artillery fire on avenues of approach and areas from which the patrol was receiving fire. Throughout, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved to each Marine's position to encourage them, redistribute ammunition and assess the tactical situation. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Sergeant Jones inspired all who observed him. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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