Leo Leslie Jones – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force

Leo Leslie Jones, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired) of Temple Hills, Maryland.

Lee (Leo) Jones beloved husband of Janie Jones, grandfather of Hall Lee Jones and brother of Dee Persin died on Sunday, October 17, 1993 after a long illness.

The service and interment with full military honors took place Friday, October 22 at Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions could be made to the American Cancer Society.

Leo Leslie Jones was born August 17, 1923, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to David Leslie and Gertrude Anna Gardner Jones. After his mother died in 1931, he was raised by his father and a maternal aunt and uncle, Clement J. and Thelma Ruth McClelland Gardner. In the Gardner obituaries Leo was listed as their son.

In September. 1942, Leo enlisted in the Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet. As a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot, Leo was stationed at Rackheath in England with the 790th Squadron, 467th Bombardment Group, 2nd Air Division of the 8th Air Force. He was a co-pilot with the John Moseley Crew # 59 and pilot of the Leo Jones Crew #71, flying many bombing missions in Germany.

After the war, Leo attended college to study aeronautical engineering. He returned to active duty in August 1950. From September 1961 until September 1962 Leo studied Research and Development Management at the University of Chicago. He was involved with the R&D of bomber aircraft and later in the Space & Ballistic Missile Planning Division.

In July 1966 Leo was stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Vietnam with the 19th Air Commando Squardron. There he was a pilot of C-123Bs and C-123s.

In August 1967 Leo was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. He remained there until he retired July 31, 1973.

During his Air Force career, Leo received the following decorations and awards:
European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with 5 Bronze Service Stars, Air Medal with Numeral 8, World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Lapel Button,  American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Airman's Medal.

Leo's family is very proud of him and all he did for us and his country.

Bea Fehrenbach Mansfield, 1st cousin once removed.

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