George M. Jones – Brigadier General, United States Army

General Jones, 84, died in a care facility in Green Valley, Arizona, December 16, 1996.

General Jones retired after 33 years of military service. He is a 1935 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. He is a veteran of World War II. He commanded the 501st Parachute Battalion, an original parachute unit, while it served in the Canal Zone.

He also deployed to the Pacific Theatre with the 503d Parachute Infantry regiment to act as Gen. Mac Authur’s strategic reserve. Later, he was assigned to the parachute school where he assumed the duties of Director of Training.

Other assignments include observer of the nuclear detonations on Bikini Atoll, chief of staff of XVIII Airborne Corps, commander of the Special Warfare center, chief of staff of the Fifth U.S. Army, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Alaska, and commanding general of the Yukon Territory. The Fort Wainwright Battle Simulaton Center, Fairbanks, Alaska is named in honor of General Jones.

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal.

He is survived by his wife Katheleen; his children, Elizabeth, Sylvia, Karl H. and Paul H.; step-children Barbara Rector, Susan Semmes and Walter Rector; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Helen.

Burial was held January 9, 1997 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard