PVT Paul D. Jones
Today, we honor and remember PVT Paul D. Jones of the 101st Airborne Division.
Private (PVT) Paul Dale Jones of HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), was born in Glencoe, northern Payne County, Oklahoma, to Charles E. and Susan E. (Hasty) Jones on July 8, 1923. Paul was their youngest child. He had three brothers, Clyde E., Clifford W., and Lloyd M. Jones, and one sister, Helen V. Jones.
His brother Calvin joined the U.S. Navy in April 1944. After his initial training at Camp Peary, York County, Virginia, he served with the Navy in Bermuda and Iceland.
Paul signed up for the draft in Brawley, Imperial County, California, on June 30, 1942. The document mentioned he had a tattoo on both arms. Earlier that year, on January 18th, he married Dorothy Mae McClendon in Maricopa, Pinal County, Arizona. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Charlotte Jean (Jones) Cox, who was born on July 18, 1943.
On April 5, 1944, Paul Jones entered military service at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, California, and was later reassigned from the 327th HQ Company to the Anti-Tank Company on March 26, 1945.
He left Mourmelon on April 2, 1945, in a 10-ton trailer truck bound for Büttgen, Germany. On the night of April 5, all battalions of the 327th were at the front lines and began sending patrols across the Rhine River. While the circumstances of his death are unknown, PVT Jones was probably killed in action during one of these patrols, and in a very tragic coincidence, exactly one year to the date after he enlisted in the Army.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
PVT Paul Jones died on April 5, 1945, at the age of 21. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. In addition to his parents and siblings, he was survived by his beloved wife and young daughter.
Following his initial interment in a temporary military cemetery, PVT Jones was later laid to rest at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten. He now rests eternally in Plot H, Row 16, Grave 27. May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Paul.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Sources:
Rendezvous with Destiny by Rapport and Norwood
Dear Paul,the last phase of the second world war! The end of this madness was a month later,for you it came too late! Rest in peace Paul you are not forgotten 🫡🇺🇸🫡