Raymond J Jones Memories

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   SSgt Raymond J Jones, 416th Gunner

Raymond J Jones, was born Feb.13, 1922 in Camden, NJ. He was raised in South Philadelphia, PA and attended St. Anthonys Grade School and Bok High School.

Raymond worked for General Electric before enlisting in AAF Aug. 26, 1942. He had basic training at Atlantic City, NJ before completing Airplane Mechanics School in Goldboro, NC. More training included A-20 Douglas Air Craft School in Santa Monica, CA., and Gunnery training at Fort Meyers, FL.

Jones was then assigned as a crew member to the 416th Bomb Group, 671st Bomb Sqadron. Missions before D-Day were bridges and buzz bomb sites. He flew the early mission on D-Day, dropping 1,500 bombs. His aircraft's fuel pump was shot up on a mission the last of June.

Sgt Jones was promoted to Staff Sergeant soon after. He flew a total of 51 missions and received the following citations and medals:

Aerial AAF Technician Badge

Good Conduct Medal

European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with five Bronze Stars

SSgt Jones participated in battle and campaigns of the Air Offensive Europe:

Normandy

Northern France

Rhineland

Ardennes.

SSgt Jones left Europe February 1945 and arrived in the US March 1945. He was stationed at Champagne, Illinois and Randolph Field, Madison, Wisconsin before being discharged at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania Sept. 29, 1945.

Raymond moved to Tulsa, OK in 1947 and married Ira in 1947. They have one girl and two boys and seven grandchildren.

Raymond worked in the painting and decorating trade, Local 1895. He had 28 years with the Rooney Co. as painting foreman and superintendent maintaining oil company office building. He retired in 1984. He is a member of Tulsa Green Country Woodworkers Club, doing projects for worthy causes, one of which is making toys for Salvation Army and the church for Christmas.