Headquarters 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
APO San Francisco 96383
General Orders Number 580 13 January 1972
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISED FLYING CROSS (POSTHUMOUS)
TC 439. The following AWARD is announced
Jones, Neil W. 418-62-0703 SP4 35120 TrpD 3d Sqdn (Ambl) 5th Cav (WDF2Do) APO SF 96383
Awarded: The Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumous)
Date of Service: 31 December 1971
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Authority: By direction of the President of the United States under the provisions of the Act of Congress established 2 July 1926
Reason: For heroism while participation in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Four Jones distinguished himself while serving as Crew Chief on an OH-6A observation helicopter during combat operations in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. After an aircraft was downed during a visual reconnaissance mission, Specialist Jones displayed exceptional personal courage while placing accurate suppressive fire on known enemy positions. During the extraction of a wounded crew member, he prepared a resupply of ammunition and survival equipment for the downed crewmembers and then assisted the wounded soldier fro the critical situation on the ground. Responding to the urgency of the situation, he expelled the ammunition and survival equipment while exposing himself to enemy fire as he reached for the wounded crewman. At that instant, the aircraft became the target of enemy fire. Although he was mortally wounded, he continued to deliver affective suppressive fire until the pilot cleared the area before succumbing to his wounds. His actions and courage were instrumental in saving the life of the crewmember and also resupplying the downed crewmembers with essential equipment needed to protect their lives. Specialist Four Jones' heroic actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United State Army.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
OFFICIAL: GEORGE C. VINEY
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
JOHN M. BYRNE
LTC, AGC
Adjutant General
DISTRIBUTION:
20 - AVDC-AGP-B
2 - AVDG-AGP-R
2 - AVDG-IN
10 - CO, 3/5th Cav
5 - TAGO, ATTN: AGPB-AC Wash DC 20315
Sir,
While researching Vietnam era units I ran across your site yesterday. On your locator I noticed a posting looking for information on some KIAs that may have been assigned to D Trp 3/5 Cav. One of the names listed is SP4 Jones, Neil Wade. SP4 Jones was my first cousin. As he was several years older than me, I unfortunately don't know too much about his assignment. I do however have a family history book written by SP4 Jones' mother that includes a copy of his Distinguished Flying Cross Award which I have included here. I typed it out as it appears in the book (other than correcting some obvious misspellings) since some of the distribution information, etc could be useful to a researcher.
Fred Jones
Quantum Research International
fkjones@quantum-intl.com