Captain Henry Will Jones
7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, Company I
United States Marine Corps (USMC)
Background
Henry Will Jones was born on April 7, 1917 in Georgia. Prewar, he was an agriculture teacher at Dexter School in Laurens County. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he resigned as a teacher to enlist in the military.
Wartime History
On April 7, 1942 enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (USMC) and reported to Quantico, Virginia. On August 25, 1942 commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. During October 1942 assigned to New River, North Carolina for paratrooper.
Afterwards, attached to the 1st Parachute Division, 1st Marine Division and sent overseas to Guadalcanal then entered combat on Bougainville where he was slightly wounded, but remained in the combat zone until January 12, 1944. Afterwards, sent back to the United States and joined the 5th Marine Division (5th Marines) at Camp Pendleton, CA to train other Marines. Later, he opted to return to combat and was assigned to headquarters, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines and landed at Peleliu Island.
On October 18, 1944, he was riding on the back of M4 Sherman as a guide, when it struck a mine and was blown upside down. He and the crew were killed in the explosion.
Memorials
Jones was officially declared dead October 18, 1944. He is buried at Marietta National Cemetery at section Q site 22-B.
References
A Memorial to Georgia Teachers of Vocational Agriculture who fought, suffered, died & worked to win the war, page 2, 6-7
FindAGrave - CPT Henry Will Jones (grave photos)
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