Dennis Keith Jones

Specialist Four, U.S. Army

Dennis Keith Jones was born on 22 June 1946.

On 12 May 1968, Specialist Four Dennis Keith Jones was serving with B Company, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, in Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, SP4 Jones was killed in action when he sustained wounds from small arms fire. His body was recovered.

Medals and Badge

Distinguished Service Cross *
Combat Infantryman Badge
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

* Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Dennis Keith Jones (ASN: US-56587454), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Jones distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 to 12 May 1968 while serving as forward observer for an infantry company in the Cholon area of Saigon. His unit was engaged in fierce house-to-house fighting, and Specialist Jones repeatedly exposed himself to intense hostile fire to call in gunships and direct their strikes by throwing smoke grenades into the midst of enemy locations. On 12 May the first platoon was pinned down by a large Viet Cong force. After calling in artillery and gunships, Specialist Jones led a fire team in an assault against the heavily fortified enemy positions, personally killing two of the communists with rifle fire. Then, to save his team which had become trapped under the intense enemy fusillade, he charged four bunkers and destroyed them with hand grenades. As he was about to throw another grenade, he was mortally wounded by enemy small arms fire. His actions enabled his comrades to regroup and overrun the aggressors. Specialist Four Jones' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Honors

The name Dennis K Jones is located on Panel 59E Line 5 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Dennis Keith Jones is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

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