John Monteath Jones
Second Lieutenant John M. “Jerry” Jones was a Marine fighter pilot who flew with VMF-224 during the Guadalcanal campaign.
He failed to return from a fighter intercept mission on 9 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-9804
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 15, 1920
at Tucson, AZ
Parents
James Fitzgerald “Gerald” Jones
Mabel (Monteath) Jones
Education
Tucson High School (1938)
University of Arizona (ex-1942)
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
July 23, 1941 (enlisted)
May 26, 1942 (officer)
Home Of Record
70 El Encanto Estates
Tucson, AZ
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Mabel M. Jones
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-224
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Individual Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Jones was officially credited with one kill.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 9 September 1942, Second Lieutenant John Monteath Jones joined a fifteen-plane scramble to intercept a force of nearly fifty Japanese bombers and fighters attacking shipping in Sealark Channel. A skillful flyer – “no slouch at all,” according to 1st Lieutenant Stanley Nicolay – “Jerry” Jones bagged his first confirmed kill the week before, and was anxious to add to his total.
The flight departed Henderson Field at 1115 and engaged the enemy within a few minutes, knocking down eight of the intruders and losing three Wildcats in return. Jones’ Wildcat (F4F-4 BuNo. 02147) was seen in a dogfight at 1130; fellow pilots noted that he “possibly” shot down a Japanese bomber. However, Jones never returned to claim his kill.
Nothing more was ever heard from Jerry Jones. He was declared dead on 10 September 1943, and received a posthumous promotion to Captain along with a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Mabel Jones.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Jones was last seen departing from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.
