Roll Call Tribute

Published in The Washington (DC) Post on September 2, 2012

CHARLES M.C. JONES Jr.

JONES C.M.C. JONES, JR. COL., USMC (Ret.) Charles Milton Cecil Jones, Jr. died peacefully the afternoon of June 3, 2012, at the Knollwood military retirement residence in northwest Washington, DC. Although a paralytic stroke he suffered in September 2008 marred his mobility, his keen sense of humor and kind, judicious temperament remained manifest until the end. He is survived by his wife, Jacquelin Yvonne (née Stoeltje); daughters, Martha Yvonne Jones, Molly Elayne Jones and Madelin Ann Jones (Mrs. Henry Drayton Barratt, Jr.); grandchildren, William Cummings Barratt, Ellen Levering Barratt and Anna Massey Barratt; sister, Alice Elayne Jones Lyons Reitz; and nephews, Alva Milton Lyons, Brian Wesley Lyons and Duane Gerald Lyons. The descendant of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English and Scots-Irish colonists to Virginia, New England and Pennsylvania, Col. Jones also was proud to be a native Texan whose maternal ancestors were among the early Anglo settlers of Mexican Texas and the Republic of Texas. He was born October 8, 1926 in Ennis to Iona Overton Wiley and Milton Jones, Sr., and grew up in the Heights section of Houston, enjoying many visits with his grandparents in Galveston and Texarkana. He met his life-long sweetheart Jacquelin in an after-school raid with his pals on the girls' locker-room at Hogg Junior High School, eventually marrying her June 8, 1949 in Houston's old Central Presbyterian Church following his graduation from the US Naval Academy. Originally intent on becoming a Navy aviator, Jones chose instead to join the US Marine Corps as an infantry officer, which soon led the young lieutenant to combat in Korea 1950-51, as a platoon commander with the Anti-Tank Company, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He survived four major campaigns during that first year of the Korean Conflict, most notably the deep-frozen hell of Chosin Reservoir. Gung-ho spirit characterized Col. Jones's 30-year career in the Corps he fiercely loved. His military billets included stints as inspector-instructor, division staff officer, and executive manager, in addition to increasing levels of infantry leadership that culminated in his achieving command of the 4th Marine Regiment (Okinawa) in 1972-73. Among his duty stations were the 3rd Marine Division (Japan), USNA's ordnance & gunnery department (Annapolis), The Basic School (Quantico), the 2nd Marine Division (Camp Lejeune), UN Korean armistice team (Seoul and Panmunjom DMZ); Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor, and finally the Fiscal Division of Headquarters Marine Corps (Arlington, VA) from where he retired in 1979. He received numerous medals and awards for his heroic service to the Nation, particularly the Bronze Star with Combat "V," Navy Commendation Medal, and three Presidential Unit Citations. A dedicated football jock, Midshipman Jones played on the USNA varsity team, staying fit off-season via intramural lacrosse; after being commissioned a second lieutenant, he played on the Quantico Marines team. During a later tour at Quantico, newly promoted Maj. Jones coached The Basic School's six-man squad to the first base championship. He also devoted substantial off-duty time as a deacon, elder, and Sunday school teacher with the Presbyterian church, and was involved with PTAs affiliated with his teenaged daughters' schools. Col. Jones commenced a second 10-year career in the private sector, working as Board Secretary and Comptroller of the American Defense Preparedness Association (now the National Defense Industrial Association), retiring as the Cold War era waned. He was elected to his Alexandria, VA condominium association's board of directors and volunteered for community committees. In retirement, he focused on family and friends, avidly followed national and international news, read history and politico-military affairs, participated in activities with USNA and USMC classmates, trekked the Internet, and watched lots of football and college lacrosse. The memorial service will be conducted Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the Knollwood chapel, 6200 Oregon Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20015, followed by a reception at Knollwood. Col. Jones will be buried Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 1 p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made in his memory to The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 3800 Fettler Drive, Suite 104, Dumfries, VA 22025 or to Knollwood/Army Distaff Foundation, 6200 Oregon Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20015.The memorial service will be conducted Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the Knollwood chapel, 6200 Oregon Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20015, followed by a reception at Knollwood. Col. Jones will be buried Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 1 p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made in his memory to The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 3800 Fettler Drive, Suite 104, Dumfries, VA 22025 or to Knollwood/Army Distaff Foundation, 6200 Oregon Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20015.