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Ensign Herbert C. Jones, USNR, (1918-1941)

Herbert Charpiot Jones was born in Los Angeles, California, on 21 January 1918. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in May 1935. After receiving Midshipmen's training on board the drill ship Prairie State (IX-15), he was commissioned in the rank of Ensign in November 1940. During the 7 December 1941 Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, he was serving as an officer in USS California (BB-44). When his ship was attacked and badly damaged, he rescued a sailor from a smoke-filled compartment, then led an anti-aircraft battery in firing on the raiders. When the ammunition hoists were put out of action, Ensign Jones organized an ammunition passing party and led it until he was fatally injured by a bomb. He then refused evacuation out of fear for the lives of his rescuers. For his heroism during the Pearl Harbor battle, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The escort ship USS Herbert C. Jones (DE-137), 1943-1973, was named in honor of Ensign Jones.

This page features our only views of Ensign Herbert C. Jones, USNR.

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Photo #: 80-G-44116 Ensign Herbert C. Jones, USNR, (1918-1941) Photographed in 1940-41. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism on board USS California (BB-44) during the 7 December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. USS Herbert C. Jones (DE-137) was subsequently named in his honor. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 73KB; 590 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: NH 92307 Ensign Herbert Charpiot Jones, USNR Who was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for heroism while serving on board USS California (BB-44) during the 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor. Halftone reproduction, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1948, The Navy", page 210. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 110KB; 590 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 48730-KN (Color) Ensign Herbert C. Jones, USNR Portrait by Mrs. H.E. Ogden Campbell, a New York artist, who presented it to the Midshipmen's School, Johnson Hall, N.Y., 25 April 1944. Ensign Jones graduated with the first Midshipmen class to be trained aboard USS Prairie State (IX-15) in 1940. He was killed in action on board USS California (BB-44) during the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct at that time. He is depicted here wearing that and other medals awarded posthumously. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 116KB; 575 x 765 pixels

Medal of Honor citation of Ensign Herbert C. Jones (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 210): "For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese Forces on 7 December 1941. Ensign Jones organized and led a party, which was supplying ammunition to the antiaircraft battery of the U.S.S. California after the mechanical hoists were put out of action, when he was fatally wounded by a bomb explosion. When two men attempted to take him from the area which was on fire, he refused to let them do so, saying, in words to the effect, 'Leave me alone! I am done for. Get out of here before the magazines go off.'"

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Page made 3 December 2000