CWO Wayne E. Jones
18th Aviation Company, 17th Aviation Group
Army

The Wall
Panel 025E Line 007

Tribute

CWO Wayne E. Jones was a fixed wing pilot in the US Army flying the largest single engine aircraft in the Army inventory, the DeHavilland of Canada U1-a Otter. He died late in the day on August 17th, 1967 flying in bad weather. His co-pilot Wo Don Harger, crewchief Sp5 Joseph Benson, and passenger Pfc. Ronald J. Johnson also perished. The crash site of Otter 702 was not found until September 6, 1967.

My father served as a Sgt. in the US Marines from 1950 – 1954 and held the Korean Service Medal. From 1960 – 1964 he was an Alaska State Trooper but his love of flying caused him to enlist in the Army in order to fly full time.

After flight school he was assigned to the 22nd Signal Group in Karlsruhe, Germany, but after only 14 months recieved orders for Vietnam. CWO Jones was awarded the Air Medal with 6th – 9th Oak Leave clusters and the Bronze Star Medal (posthumously).

At the age of 33 he lost his life in Vietnam leaving behind a wife and five children. He is missed by all of us.